So with that said, I need to get some things off of my chest. Some things that I've been holding onto for a long time. I desperately pray for healing, for the freedom that we're promised through Christ. I desperately desire to live the radical life that I'm called to live, but I feel so weighted down by some of this, that I just can't get past it.
I have a jealousy problem. I get so envious of anyone that I come in contact with that I view as somehow better then me. I don't get as envious over stuff as I used to, but I really get envious of people who are better designers then I am, that have leadership, and that have more opportunities then I do. I get knots in the pit of my stomach when I see people like this, or even when I see their name show up on my caller ID. It has nothing to do with them or anything that I've done, but I just have such a strong feeling of what can only be called jealousy towards them that it actually makes me physically sick. I could make a list of the people that this effects, but that'd be a mighty long list. In particular the people at Journey. I apologize wholly and completely for not praising God for you but instead being jealous of some of you. You are my family and deserve better. I love you all.
Second, God blesses me with much. He has been so generous towards me and Kate. I find myself very rarely blessing others with what I'm given. We squander our money and our time instead of investing in His Kingdom. I was reading through Forgotten God and Francis Chan asks, "What would the church/Church look like if every person was just like you? Would the church be flourishing or failing?" That question hit me hard. I've spent so much time focusing on the big stuff that I believe God is doing in my life that I've neglected to do the essential parts of daily living in a radical way. I talk big about wanting to live a radical life but do very little to make that a reality. I am a passionate person whose ideas and thoughts quickly fall by the wayside for the next big thing. I/We haven't tithed in months because we've been afraid to trust in Him to take care of our needs. So if the church/Church was made up of people like me, the church would be broke, idealistic, and so focused on the big picture that they've lost sight of the little things and not serving. I apologize to the Church as well as my church, I have only robbed you as well as our community for not putting motion to my words and loving the people that I come in contact with in a way that is truly honoring and reflective of the way that Christ loves us/me.
Last, I struggle with lust. This is something that I've struggled with for years and thankfully God has done wonders for my lustful thoughts, actions, and motives. But I still have my struggles. To any woman that I have ever looked at in a way that is not honoring to God, I completely and wholly apologize. You are beautiful in the eyes of the Creator and I apologize for not viewing you in the way that He perfectly views you. I also apologize to my wife, you've been the most amazing wife in the entire world, you love me in a way that I can't begin to express in words. You are beautiful and sexy on the outside as well as the inside and you and you alone are the one that I desire. I apologize to you for anything that I do, say or think that communicates anything other then that. You complete me in a way that I can't express. Thank you for being a tangible version of God's unconditional love and forgiveness to me. I love you unconditionally.
Those were my big three. Those are things that God has been working on me over for years. I can't hold them in any longer because all of those things effect those around me. Our sins do not just effect ourself, the ramifications of our sins spreads wider then we can ever imagine. I thank you all for loving me in a way that is so reflective of Christ. For the way that you've been there for me and for Kate over the months/years that I've known you.
Perhaps, this can encourage you in someway.