I’ve been in my own way for a few years now and that’s the only way that I can think of to put it.
I grew up deeply spiritual only to turn my back during my early 20s. I remember joining this hardcore band and touring with this group called Sleeping Giant, and how they really challenged me to embrace my faith again. They were…badasses. That’s all I can say. They saw people get hurt in the moshpit and they placed their hands on them and they prayed and these kids were healed. I remember thinking that it was so crazy because they were just like me. They were a little dirty, they hadn’t showered in a little too long, and they cursed a little too much. But they had faith in God, even when it had the potential to make them look really dumb, and God always pulled through.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish this year, and it’s kind of a tall order. Because this year, I don’t want to run around the country trying my hardest to “make a difference” or “change the world” or whatever other tagline we can think of. I’ve done that. And done that. And done that. And, I’m ready for something different. I’m ready to…wait.
So, I’ve taken note of my dreams. I believe that they are given to me by the Big Guy, but I’m praying for confirmation. Although I am going to work as hard as ever to see these things become a reality, it’s really my desire now to spend an equal amount of time praying over these things, making sure that I am in God’s will, and looking for opportunities to fall into my lap.
If I had a formula, this would be it.
1) Praying that I would know what to pray for, or that God would give me specific dreams.
2) Praying for Star of Bethlehem-type assurance that I’m doing the right thing.
3) Waiting for God’s timing. (still figuring out exactly what this means; don’t necessarily like this one)
4) Working my butt off.
So, without further ado, my goals for 2012.
– raise $200,000 for FM stations in the Congo to help call LRA kids home
-begin a fund to support Scripture based rehab, vocational training, education, and economic development for some of the half million people currently displaced by the LRA
-work with my church to work with LR’s homeless communities to identify and fill gaps in programming
-work to develop LR’s music scene
-buy a house in Argenta.
Someone told me the other day that the difference between my goals and God’s goals is that God’s are impossible. I’m looking at a screen full of things that seem impossible.
This is the point where I tell my mind to shut up and begin praying and working to see them become a reality.
❤
brianpappalardo 