We're Like The Dog

Like I said when I started this blog, it would only be on occasion. So here we are again, seven months since my last post. I'd like to talk about something I am absolutely horrible at: being patient.

I just recently graduated high school, quit my job, and moved away from my hometown, all because I felt like it was time to move forward in life. It has been weird, different, refreshing, and pretty cool. I've been involved with a new church that I absolutely love, I've made new friends, learned new things, and done new things. But in the midst of all these shenanigans, my main priority has been to hear from God. As some of you probably know, I'm moving to India for three months in September. I need something to do until then. I need direction. It's great to find something good and productive to do with my life, but what's good and productive about it if God isn't the one leading me? I need to figure out what He wants me to do that will make Him bigger.

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." - John 3:30 (NLT)

Honestly, it's frustrating praying for direction, because you don't know what to expect, when to expect, how to expect. After a while our stressed-out, cluttered prayers make us feel like nothing is happening, and we become impatient.

Well, I've got some news for you, my friends: Something is always happening. God is always working behind the curtain; we just have to wait on His timing.

He has been teaching me a lot about prayer lately; about coming before Him with all of my problems and praises. He's been teaching me to shut my freaking mouth once in a while and wait. He needs a chance to talk, too. We always initiate the conversation, but maybe He'd like to get the ball rolling once in a while. Just give Him some time and He will speak. I've been entering prayer with a different mindset now. I tend to start talking, and then immediately feel a big "not yet, kid." and shut my mouth until He says it's time.

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool." - Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 (NLT)

Wait on God and He will speak. He gives me direction, little by little. Some good ol' walking by faith and not by sight never hurt anybody too bad.

Think of it like training a dog. You're the dog and God is the trainer. The trainer tells the dog to sit and stay, and at first the the dog doesn't want to. I mean, just waiting on nothing doesn't make sense, right? Then the trainer pulls out a Scooby-snack and holds it up high. Now the dog sees that there's a greater reason to sit still and wait. After the trainer decides that the dog has finished his instruction and waited until it's ready, he tells the dog to "get it!" and there is much rejoicing. See where I'm going with this? When God says to wait, we may not understand it at the time and it may seem a bit unnecessary, but He understands that there's a greater purpose. If the trainer just let the dog eat Scooby-snacks whenever it wanted, it wouldn't understand discipline or patience. If God gives us what He has in store whenever we ask for it, we won't be prepared. God has us endure patience for a reason. He has us endure patience to train us for something greater. So be like the dog. Sit still and wait and know that God has something greater for you. When He has you doing something that doesn't make sense, just rest in the knowledge that He has something great in store for all of His children.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." - Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Pray with intention to listen, and once you've heard, go with intention to do.

Here's one of my favorite clips from a film that greatly illustrates what I'm talking about (just replace the words "kung fu" with "God":

Go Big, Then Go Home

Here we are... 366 days have gone by, and everything is different now. 2012 was the biggest year of my life thus far. I made a lot of bad choices, but I also made a lot of good choices.

Up until May, I wasn't walking with God anymore. Right before the summer, Jesus broke down the walls I had built up inside, and radically changed my life.

In July, He called me to be a missionary before I go to college.

In August, He called me to make the hardest decision I've ever made. Letting go of your own life to live for God is painful.

In September, He opened the door for me to go to India as a missionary for 6 months in the fall of 2013.

In October, He gave me the opportunity to record my second studio EP.

In November, He confirmed to me that music is what He has made me to do. He also began to bless me with spiritual gifts I never thought I would or could have.

In December, He kept filling me with His overwhelming joy, peace, and wisdom.

In 2012, God did. He kept pushing, even when I walked away. He didn't relent until He had it all. He found a kid who was so far off the path, and had no hope, and went big. He didn't just do a little. He did a lot. He changed lives. He saved lives. He came through. He never gave up. He was faithful. He was patient. He was good. My oh my, He was good.

Over this year, I have learned thousands and thousands of lessons, but the biggest one of all is to go do. No matter the calling, go do. I never wanted to be a missionary. The thought of it scared me. But when you are willing to follow any calling He puts in your heart, and do it, the outcome will be incredible.

Now my challenge to all of you is to do something even more in 2013. Go big.

God has called us to do everything to the best of our abilities. Give your all this year. That's what worship is. Giving everything. Going big.

How do you start? Go. Once you go, God will guide you. At that point, it's up to you whether or not you do it, and do it big.

2013 is the beginning of something new, and the end of something old. 2013 is a white canvas God has placed in front of you, and He's handing you a brush. 2013 is a chance to shine so brightly for the Lord that people don't even see you anymore, but all they see is the light. 2013 is the year to heal. 2013 is the year to make a fresh start. 2013 is the year to keep pressing forward. It is the year to go, to do, to worship, to give, to be, to rise, to love, and to live.

This world is not our home. Our home is in the Kingdom of God. Our time is short, and 2013 is only 365 days. We don't know how many days God has given us, so don't let a single one of them pass you by. Give all that you have here, because one day this will all be gone. You have to be the change you want to see in the world.

Go big.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13-14

"Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."

Forcefully Advancing

Hey, everybody! I wanted to start a new blog that I can occasionally post in, and talk about what is going on in my life, and what the Lord is teaching me. First off, I want to explain the name of the blog, "A Branch".

In John 15:5-8, Jesus says, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."

Now that you've read that, I don't have much explaining to do. As a follower of Christ, the Lord is our source of life. He is our Vine, and we are His branches; reaching out to do His work.

I, Dylan Black, am one of many branches. The Church, every other follower besides me, is a branch. We work together, as brothers and sisters, to spread the love of God to every person we meet.

Branches. That's what we are.

What I want to talk about in this blog is something simple, yet so powerful, that the Lord showed me recently.

In Matthew 11, Jesus has just finished sending out the twelve apostles when He gets word of John the Baptist's imprisonment. John sees that Jesus is doing nothing to bust him out of prison, and doubt begins to creep in. John sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” I feel like Jesus probably sighed for a second. But, then He replies with, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”

I'm sure that wasn't the comforting reply that John had hoped for. He already knew all of the stuff that Jesus just said. He probably wanted Him to say something more along the lines of, "Yeah, man. I'm your guy. I'll get you out in a couple of days." But, that isn't what Jesus wanted to tell him. I think that Erwin McManus sums up what Jesus was saying perfectly in his book, The Barbarian Way:

"Jesus was saying to him, 'John, I'm not coming through for you. I'm not getting you out of prison. I'm not sparing your life. Yes, I have done all this and more for others, but the path I choose for you is different from theirs. You'll be blessed, John, if this does not cause you to fall away.'"

Sometimes the Lord has a plan for you that you don't expect. You think life sucks, and you start whining about your misfortune when everybody else has it "easy". But, really, the Lord has a plan. And if you keep pressing forward, even when it hurts, you will be amazed at the radical things the Lord will do in, and through, you.

Later on in Matthew 11, Jesus is speaking to a crowd about John the Baptist. After talking about how plain awesome he is, He says, "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it."

Man... I thought that was awesome!

Forcefully advancing.

Guys, it's the truth that we all get lazy sometimes. We have jobs, school, families, etc., and things get so busy that we quit focusing on the Lord. It's understandable. But this verse says perfectly how we need to live our lives. This wasn't some Average Joe talking about John. This was Jesus saying that, because of him, "the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing".

It is our purpose in life to be disciples of Jesus; His branches. Our purpose is to reach out to the world, live in the way that Jesus did, and forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven with every step we take.

That verse says that "violent people are attacking it". The Kingdom of God is under attack by the Devil and the world, and we are being called to march into battle. We are being called to advance the Kingdom of Heaven, no matter the cost, and no matter the pain.

Walk in the Lord's steps, and He will lead you where you were made to be.

Have a good day!

- Dylan Black