Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Untraveled Path (Literally)


The Untraveled Path 
Many of you are probably wondering why in the world I'm living in Myrtle Beach for the summer. I'm sure many erroneous thoughts are circulating about me avoiding my hometown or even just looking at an excuse to have an adventure. At The University of Georgia I am surrounded by successful people. Every individual owns an absurdly high GPA from secondary school and boasts into school having accomplished insurmountable tasks in which I could only dream.  I am currently studying my calling... my passion.. my dream... Public Relations. PR is one of the most competitive job markets filled with promising students that all want to change the world... or at least how the world is perceived. Most of my counterparts are devoting their summer to life changing internships in DC, NY, or Atlanta with companies making a phenomenal impact on our great nation. 

I devoted weeks to pouring my heart out in finding the perfect internship that would grow me professionally. My mind works very dynamically in the sense that it centers around success, service, and resume building. Its an all consuming fire that radically breaks my heart into a million pieces because once I finish one step toward achieving my dream another hurdle arises. I applied for 37 internships that bore no fruit, I interviewed numerous times but saw no reciprocation in my love for the company. I knew that my resume was strong, my interpersonal skills were stronger, but something just wasn't right. 

After my final rejection-- I broke down thinking that this worldly success defined my true value as not only a man but as person. Jesus completely eradicated this nonsense and turned it into a test of patience. I constantly doubted his willingness and ability to provide, I tried to seek council and all I ever heard was "WAIT". I begrudgingly applied for a 9 week program called Summer Discipleship Project. I went through the application process and received an interview almost immediately. While pouring my heart out to the leader of the trip, I felt this overwhelming sense of peace come over my spirit. Usually after the SDP interview the leaders unite and pray over the person to see whether or not this is something that is going to benefit their personal walk with Jesus and if this is the right move for them. Drew-- the trip leader-- accepted me instantaneously saying that he felt the spirit move during our conversation and just knew that this is where Jesus is calling me home. 

$2700 in 4 weeks. A crippling fear rushed through my veins like ice water sending chills up and down my spine that sent me into a paralyzing fear. How in the world can one person raise almost 3,000 dollars in one month. I snapped out of my inhibitions and took a leap of faith and sent letters, emails, phone calls telling friends and family my heart that is being captivated by this journey. Within 10 short days Jesus provided every.single.penny that I needed in order to pursue this newfound dream. Why am I telling you this? Why do you care? Our God has our entire life plan in his hands, he knows our every thought, our every action, he knitted us in our mother's womb. I serve a loving Father that captivates me through mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Those trying times in which I just simply wanted to pursue success and pursue my career but never accomplished finding an open door completely faded into nothingness due to the fact that Jesus has something planned so much greater for my life. 

If you had the opportunity to read my first blog post... I focused on community. Jesus finally answered a desperate cry for being my provider, my enabler, my eyes when it comes to finding friends that will not only love me, but encourage me to grow each and every minute of every day. After 1.5 years of patiently waiting, shamelessly begging, the Lord provided... not only did he provide, but he provided abundantly. 

Moving forward I learned that while on SDP in Myrtle Beach, I would be surrounded by 48 other college students that also desired to passionately pursue Jesus and let the Holy spirit guide and move our actions. An absurd amount of UGA students were also accepted which further instilled truth in my heart that Jesus wants me here, and wants me here desperately to continue to pursue community and a larger family of believers. 

This summer I am working a part-time job at a local restaurant called Salsaritas. Simply... it's a mix between Chipotle and Willys. As previously mentioned Jesus always provides for our needs. He saw that I made a sacrifice in pursuing the dream internship that I was offered ( no need to talk about it here) to really find myself and solidify who I am in Christ. My general manager learned about my passion for Public Relations and crafted a intricate plan to utilize me to benefit the store but also enhance my resume. Now-- every monday I will be promoting our location and helping my GM build our image through B2B marketing and 1-1 interaction. 

God truly knows the desires and needs of our heart and he satisfies them in ways we didn't know possible. I thought that this summer I was sacrificing my future in exchange for solidifying my identity in Christ but God had much bigger plans... he crafted a way for me to satisfy both of my major needs in my life. 

My whole life I have learned that when I make Christ the center of my focus, everything else will fall into place and this is just another prime example of the Lord shepherding his lamb into a life that further glorifies Him. 



On the road to Myrtle Beach. My car stopped working due to user error. However
this view changed our perspective and showed us the True Artist's hand at work.