On Ruin

So once again it's been embarrassingly too long since I posted a blog. It's not really the new year and I don't know if I want to make this my resolution, but I definitely need to post more often.

Story time... Many of you who know me or have talked to me in the past couple of months know that I am currently working with a church plant in Midlothian, VA, which is right outside of Richmond (check us out @ http://www.villagemidlothian.org/ ). Shameless plugs aside, I was sitting at the apartment in Richmond yesterday thinking about how much the gospel has ruined my life. All right, I know that's a weird statement. Stick with me and let me unpack it.

The gospel has indeed ruined my life. Whatever selfish, self-serving plans I have, had, or could have had about my life have been tossed aside in order to follow God's direction. For example, in middle school after I had been playing guitar for a few years I really wanted to make a live touring with a band. That would be awesome and maybe it could have worked out. As poor of an example that is, I had to give that dream up to follow God's direction. Perhaps a better example would be this. I will by this time next year have graduated college with a respectable degree in worship and music. With this degree and some good connections I could get a great job in some mega church somewhere. I'm not being over confident. I've seen it happen to the majority of the seniors in my department. But instead, I am choosing to continue to work with The Village Church in an unpaid position. Rationally, this is probably the worst choice I could make. It takes up a good deal of my time without any financial return. This is the direction the gospel has taken me.

I don't write this to be self-gratifying. There are many other parts of life that I still live in disobedience in. I am not an example to look to. I write this to challenge whoever may read. The gospel should ruin you in the same way. If it is not, you should really step back and determine whether the gospel is truly the driving force in your life.

For my Christian friends, take a look in your own life. Are you completely given over to the God's will? How are you actively pursuing unity with Christ both privately and corporately? In what ways has the gospel ruined you and what is it pushing to change next?

For my unbelieving friends, do not misunderstand me. This "ruining" of my life is actually God giving me life in abundance. God as completely sovereign knows what is best for me better than I do. So what I want to do must always take a backseat to God's will. This is not an easy sacrifice but it is the only way in which life can be lived in abundance. This is the best life I can live.