Journey 2011 so far...Awesome. The blessings started on the ride down. I was sent off with love, as I left many loved ones behind. However, the community I have the honor of abiding in this summer is family to me. There are new faces, new places. I pray our time together will be protected as we grow in Love through Christ Jesus. Camp Highland here we come!

Sheep, Savvy?

-Ezekiel 34:11-12
“‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
(-Picture was Taken in Kwambekenya, Kenya)

 

Isaiah 53:5-7 (New International Version 1984)

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

Consider the sheep. Now, I claim no expertise in the area of Genus Ovis. However, from what I have observed and smelled, sheep are not very fragrant nor are their garments unsoiled. No, the sheep I’ve seen are quite smelly and a bit grimy to say the least. I find this sheep and myself to be fairly close in relation and resemblance, although the sheep is probably a bit more handsome than me. Humor aside, many a time does our God refer to us as sheep. The writers of the Psalms speak of us as the sheep of His pasture. In Song of Solomon, I am reminded of the sheep's beauty, after it's come up from its washing. As John 10 gives account, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd- the One who lays his life down for his sheep. I am but an unclean sheep, nothing good about me. I ask forgiveness for any good I may claim to be, or be perceived as so. I am filthy bloke, my garments are soiled and my hands dirty. The only good one may find, comes from the Father above, not me. He is the Good Shepherd, I am but a part of His flock. Thanks to our Shepherd, I will live life to the fullest. I am free to enjoy His pasture and rest as He makes me lie down. May we remember, it is the Shepherd who toils, not the sheep.

To Glorify

Difficulty clouds my attempts in justly articulating the anticipation of Journey 2011 and the year to come. To spare you any loquacious philosophies adrift in theoretical atmosphere, I will leave you with a summation of privilege, humility, and astonishment.

I have no right to be here- to be where I am right now, typing this blog. Yet, here I am. I am free. I am free to be- to be me, to be here, to be broken, to be misunderstood, to be wrong, to be embraced, to be clean, to be renewed, to be invested; I am now free to love others.  So therefore, I have every right to be here, thanks to the cross and life embodied in our Savior, Jesus, who now reigns above us, amongst us, and in us. This is awesome news to a wretch like me, and as sounds of an old hymn ring true and my life gives testament to how truly amazing His Grace is.

Excitement and humility along with a very real and present spiritual battle encompass the opportunity of being a part of Journey for a second year. The battle lies in my heart where flesh meets Spirit and things get down to the nitty-gritty. In selfishness, I tend to withdraw from relationship and fall into complacent comfort. I pray that battle into surrender this summer, as I rest in the One who fights on my behalf.  Awaiting God’s miraculous power to leave us at awe as he works this summer, spending time and enjoying relationship with those I already hold dear and those I soon will, and surrendering to the joy of God’s sanctifying will as I continue this adventure with Him and my siblings is well worth the cost. I pray all glory be to Jesus this summer as we take part in our Father’s work. I also pray I remember I am his child and we are his children. The importance lies in the relationship between the child and his Father, not so much the task. Our Dad is more than capable without us; it is by Grace we are included. 

I am just glad to be here!

-Israel Wright

^“26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[“

-1 Corinthians 1:26-31