March 27, 2006
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During my years at Virginia Tech I was studying to be an engineer. When I told people that was my major, I would get simple remarks about how it pays well and that its a good major… no one would ever say or ask anything Spiritual about it.
After graduating I worked construction for a few months because I was in a time of transition and still praying about my future. When I told people I worked contstruction, they would look at me funny and some would laugh about how I “went through college” to get such a job. Again, no one would ever say or ask anything Spiritual about it.
But when I became an orphanage volunteer, suddenly I started receiving a lot praise from people I didn’t know as well… it was embarassing to me.
But you know what, I don’t feel any different as a person when I was studying in college my last few years or working construction or living here. I believe I was honoring God with my life just as much in each place. Why? Because I was seeking Him and obeying His will in every place. Because I volunteer at an orphanage now, does that make me a better person than I was when I was at Virginia Tech or working in the early morning at construction sites? NO. What truly mattered were the prayers, the yearning for God and His will, and continuing to learn how to love others.
People are encouraged by me being here, and I’m thankful for that. But honestly, if it wasn’t God’s will for me to be here, or if I just wasted my time while I am here… God would not be happy. He delights in obedience. He delights in us seeking Him. He delights in love.
Don’t ever think you are ever a lesser Christian for where you are in life or what you are doing… if you are seeking and obeying Him in everything and learning to love others more and more, you are honoring Him just as much as any other Christian out there. Some days you might be surrounded by 80 orphans, other days by a couple alcoholic construction workers… just keep seeking the Lord and loving those around you, God delights in you just the same.
BTW: I’ll be in the
Bebo Norman – Nothing Without You
Comments (11)
hey john michael…this is heather and sonia. we totally understand what you are saying. thank you for putting them into such clear and encouraging words…we were both sharing how you’ve been such an inspiration to us. have a safe trip and see you when you get back.
from a va tech, jmu alumni, accountant and graphic designer…now gvcs teachers. va represent!!!! woohoo!
werd up, have fun
in agreement with your entry. 2 eprops for you JM!
after reading this, i realized i was thinking that way.
mmmm i’m encouraged. God bless JM!
i agree! as always, good words
enjoy the yummy, yummy, yummy mangos galore! hope you’ll find time to rest and refresh mentally and physically in manila. have fun in the jeepneys!
God is good.
miss ya jm. but im more glad to hear you doing the work there. =) God bless you
ah, you are an inspiration. a breathe of fresh air. keep doing what you are doing brotha!
Hey JM just wanted to see it you made it back ok. We are not all back in Moberly
Already miss all the kids you are probably playing with them right now. We had an interesting flight home we had a rain delay and we did not get back till like well now. at like 5 in the morning we got into St. Louis at like 2am. We left Chicago at like 12:25am when it was suppose to leave at 7 pm Well just wanted to tell you that. Hope we left everything ok.God bless
Jen
Hey JM
We’re all back in Moberly safely, although it was an ordeal getting here. I wanted to thank you again for your home that you lent us while we were there. It was so nice to have a place like that. We hope you enjoyed your trip to the Philippines, but we wish so much that we could have gotten to know you better.
Please email me soon. Some of the photos for the trip I’ve already posted in my Facebook album, and will link them to you when I’m finished. I’ll also be editing the videos within the week, and will send those to you as well.
Hope you enjoy your syrup. Sorry I never got to make French toast for you
I’ve been reading through your Xanga, and I must say that you are one of the few guys of your age I’ve met that truly has his head on straight. Your godliness shines in every word you write, and it inspires me to want to serve God in another country even more. It makes me think that if there were more like you, that the situations around the world where people do not know Christ would not exist. I see God in you.
I really hope I can talk with you soon. Please feel free to add me to your MSN messenger – the screen name is beautifuller@hotmail.com (I chose it when I was 18, and simply haven’t bothered to transfer my list over to a new screen name). I also have AIM and Yahoo, I probably use those more, but I don’t think that you have them. Anyway, I can’t really sleep (I’m still on Korea time), but I should probably try.
All for Him,
Moselle
Good reminder to us.