Just been thinking...

Something that I have been thinking a bit about lately... Yesterday we had a time of remembering our friend Jeremy Earnshaw and celebrating his legacy (www.onetwentyone.com). To be honest I did not want to go out to the point where Jeremy died AT ALL!!! The last time I had been out there was for the memorial service shortly after his death. It was a very challenging time when he died about 9 months ago and I had been trying to push those feelings away/ completely avoid them. I didn't know Jeremy all that well but he still had a huge impact on me, he was so simple in his relationship with God and that was evident through casual conversations. I remember having to do work for my DTS one night and I was really having a hard time with the assignment (the assignment was to get a word from God for someone on the base) I had hyped it up and made it seem impossible in my mind and was caught up in not being able to overcome the task. Jeremy was in the common room while I was attempting to do the work. I remember him saying " Just give me a word, its not complicated just do it, right now, do it, ask God to give you a word for me!"  Jeremy inspired me so much in that little conversation, I can hardly explain it but he made me realize that living for God is not complicated, yes it has challenges but God is always there to help us and guide us

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8.

Jeremy knew what it meant to live a life completely sold out for God! He knew that he was called to be part of something bigger than himself, that we are all called to something bigger than ourselves! God gave me this verse Wednesday while we were out at Snapper Point remembering and celebrating Jeremy.

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:24-26

I think that the above verse very much compliments 1.21 (Philippians 1:21) Jeremy’s life verse. 1.21 has become a movement and a challenge to live a life for Christ, a life that matters. Here is an excerpt from www.jeremyearnshaw.com

A Life That Mattered

He had made a very clear choice. His life would be nothing less than extraordinary. He would go to great lengths to follow God and pursue his destiny. There would be life to the full for this young man, nothing less. He carried a sense of urgency for today accompanied by a deep security for the future. HE KNEW WHERE HE WOULD END UP. Each day would be priceless and he wouldn't delay in running the kind of race most would give up on. From the day he was born to the day he left us he was running into the arms of The Father. He would leave a great legacy through a clear statement of a surrendered life to God and to the world that he belonged to Jesus. Stamped across his chest was the message that would permeate long after his departure:

 

           FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN.

Man! Even just hearing the story and testimony of Jeremy I get inspired. I get inspired to make every moment, every day, and everything in life to matter. I want to be part of something bigger and I know God has called me to something bigger. Even if I am scared, nervous, or apprehensive of this something ‘bigger’ I will go full force and not stop or hold back! It is too great of an opportunity to pass up! The God of the UNIVERSE wants to LIVE inside of YOU! The God of the UNIVERSE wants to SPEAK to YOU! The God of the UNIVERSE wants to CREATE with YOU! The God of the UNIVERSE wants to BE CLOSE WITH YOU!  What do you really have to lose? All I see is GAIN!