So we were told at the end of training camp to post at least one blog a week. As you can see I have not been faithful in this assignment. I hope to remedy that in the next couple weeks before I head out. Wow, a couple weeks, was it really that long ago when I was saying ” in a couple of months”. I can hardly believe that I have about 3 weeks before I leave the United States for 11 MONTHS! Thats 24 days!
This “in between” time in my life, starting just a few months ago, has been busy with traveling yet “slow” compared to how lif
e usually is for me. Typically, and especially in college, my life was filled with constant activity from hanging out with friends, to working, to projects. I was almost prideful at how little sleep I could manage my life and busy scedule on. I am so used to having so much to do that there is little time to contemplate. That routine has drastically changed since being accepted on this race. After graduation, most of my friends went home or are beginning their careers. Those friends filled more of my days and evenings than I realized. So, even though I did work 5-6 days a week at Joe’s Crab Shack and hung out once in awhile with work friends, my routine was left with empty spaces.
e usually is for me. Typically, and especially in college, my life was filled with constant activity from hanging out with friends, to working, to projects. I was almost prideful at how little sleep I could manage my life and busy scedule on. I am so used to having so much to do that there is little time to contemplate. That routine has drastically changed since being accepted on this race. After graduation, most of my friends went home or are beginning their careers. Those friends filled more of my days and evenings than I realized. So, even though I did work 5-6 days a week at Joe’s Crab Shack and hung out once in awhile with work friends, my routine was left with empty spaces. 
What was I suppose to do with all this extra time on my hands. I caught up on sleep, tried to stay interested in new projects, attempted to make plans with people, but in the end I had to adjust to a relaxed life, a life that didn’t have me constantly running around. Don’t get me wrong there are days that are filled to the brim, with too much going on, but those are few. And of course there are things that probably needed to be done or projects I could of finished, but I’m just not a stay at home person. I like constant social activity.But this extra time especially after training camp, is teaching me to set time out for God. Life gets so busy, so crazy full of things to do or places to go, people to see, that we forget what our true purpose here on earth is. To worship and glorify Christ. How are we fulfilling this mission if we are so overwhelmed with our own routines. How are we presenting Christ to those around us if we don’t make time to seek God and let Him refuel us. How much are we missing out on because our lives are too busy for God, for quiet time. No wonder its rare to hear God speak, He keeps getting drowned out by all the “must do’s” of life. Yet at the end of the day, at the end of our energy bursts when we are so exhausted or finally broke before the Lord, He still reaches out with a smile and says “Welcome back, rest in Me”.
I use to think that I spent plenty of time with God, what with church, church activities, scripture discussions, fellowship with Christians, what more could I need or could God want/expect of me. A WHOLE LOT MORE!!! During all these things, I had plenty of time to talk, to share, to experience, but I was lacking God’s voice. Those nudges that you feel throughout the day, that we make promises to, to set time to read the Bible, to pray, I believe thats God, and what patience He has with us. If I had a friend who consistently forgot about promises or rarely set aside time to even speak with me, I’d be more than hurt or frustrated, that person wouldn’t really be a friend, right. How God must feel when I do this to Him, yet His love is unconditional.
If you’ve made it this far is this long blog, you may be searching for peace or maybe God is calling out to you. Answer Him, don’t make promises that probably won’t happen, just stop, grab your Bible or turn on quiet worship music. Just relax in the arms of Christ and be open to hearing His voice and that probably means shutting your mouth! Why do we expect God to speak to us when we don’t give Him a chance to say anthing? For many that sounds strange or crazy that God wants and will talk to you, it still kinda does to me too. But I’ve learned that the more you clear your mind, the more you bask in His presence, you will hear and you will begin to understand. God does speak, personally to YOU! We just have to shut up and listen!!
