Lord, Send Me...

I'm not going to lie... I just had one of the best weeks of my entire life.

In appreciation for the time and patience we've put forward to our little brother the past month, my amazing parents sent my older brother (Jordan) and me to debate camp. The natural nerds that we are, of course we knew it was going to be awesome. However, I didn't know that it was going to change me for life.

I probably attended about 15 lectures at the camp. Most of them were about debate itself, and our resolution (topic) for this year. But the last one, on Friday mid-morning, given by the coach that was doing a lot to work the camp, was about us as Christians. How we're the only hope for the world. How we've all been given our own mission by God; to reach out into the world, and make a difference.

If you've read any of my other posts, you've probably gathered that I've been working on bringing Christ- and certain messages- into the world for the past year. When I heard this talk, I literally felt like crying. It touched me so much to hear what he said. Allow me to try to relay some if it back to you...

I won't go into extreme detail about the first part, but he spoke about how he had been born with dyslexia and ADD, being told that he would never learn to read, or really succeed at anything. Well... He's the National champion of Parliamentary (college) debate now. As he was talking about this, it was reminding me of myself. I was born with any specific disorders, but had never really been able to succeed at anything. What I had always really wanted to do- performing arts- was way out of the question for me.

Anyway, I forget what the cross-over was, but he began to talk about how God has a purpose for all of us in life. Of course we've heard that before... We're all here for a reason. But for some reason, what he said just really touched me. It tied in with the devotional he had read that morning from Isaiah 6:8- "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us?' Then said I, 'Here I am, send me.'"

We all must be willing to accomplish God's plan for us. I'm accepting His challenge for me. I'm not sure what exactly He wants me to do, but once I figure it out, I'm going to fulfill it, or die trying.

When I received my ballots on Saturday, and saw that I had only won two rounds out of six, this naturally saddened me. But, unlike all the speech ballots I've received in the past, I didn't feel depressed for hours. I had done my best, and had fun in the process. I had tried my hardest, and learned a lot. And hopefully, I had served God while doing it. Maybe His intention is for me to be a public speaker that tells people about Christ. I don't know, but I'm looking forward to figuring it out.

When I received my first award that night (Second place speaker in the novice track), I wasn't nearly as excited as I thought I would have been. But I think I was happier than I would have been if I was holding a trophy in my hand, instead of a simple piece of paper. Trophies, as was also mentioned some time at the camp, can never fill up your heart. If awards are your life, there's always going to be something missing. You have to make God the center of your life for you to be truly happy.

As I watched all my friends (some new, some old, all incredibly amazing) drive away that night, I thought about what they had taught me. Love, patience, humor, kindness, and even how to share. (I happen to be very forgetful, and left my dinner at home a couple nights...) But even though I love them all dearly, I didn't let them take over my one best Friend. The one that I strive to be like, and serve as much as I can every day. Jesus Christ.

I (hopefully) have many more years left in life. I'm still working on carrying out God's mission for me. I'm still figuring out what He's placed me here for. But I can't wait to do it. I encourage you to be like the verse in Isaiah. When God calls on you, respond to Him, "Send me!" Carry out what He's put you on this Earth to do. Don't let earthly desires take over your heart. When all else fails you, put your hope in our Lord. Do what He has asked you to do.

Lord, send me...