Awakening
Trip Start
Oct 01, 2007
1
16
25
Trip End
Nov 08, 2008
Belmopan,
Belize
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
First however before I reveal what exactly it is I feel I should explain how I came to this revelation, and why I chose to share my thoughts on the subject at this moment in time. It began perhaps when I finally accepted Gods existence period, and in my life, and not only that but also deciding to follow Him from that moment on. It was a dark Sunday night like any other Sunday night, youth group was halfway over, so all in all very typical
Rex
. Except this night would be different, little did I know as I walked away from the crowd and out the doors embracing the night that the next 40min would alter my life forever. Up to this point I had been battling depression for quite some time however only a few close friends even knew most including family didn't have a clue as I kept up a normal outward façade. None noticed my leaving except for one person who little to my knowledge followed me outside as I found out when I entered my car and drove away taking one last glance at a friendly although confused face. I ignored the texts and calls and continued to drive back to where I grew up, my old neighborhood on the other side of town. I meandered through the streets as memories began to flood my mind of a simpler life once lived full of fishing and childhood ambitions. Soon I turned around and merged back onto the highway at an increasing rate of speed much higher than normal. The buildings began to blur as I moved through the gears with barley a thought except for this is it. That was my frame of mind as the sky darkened, that tonight either God would reveal Himself to me or I would end it all in an instant. The speedometer soared past 65, past 80 to 90 reaching its apex somewhere around 110,waiting until the guardrail ceased my hands slid from the wheel , I had given up hope had floated away, but for some impossible reason the car didn't take a fast drift over the white lines and off the edge, which is impossible at that speed . God then shed light on the darkness and I realized He is out there and I meant for more than to end up in a fiery crumpled ball of metal
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. My hands grasped the wheel once more my foot released the pedal from the floor, decelerated to normal speed, I returned home without a word just the typical I was tired and wanted to come home early. Nor from that moment on I still struggled through life as most my age but something was different than before. I longed to die still and still do to this day but not to due to the depression and frustration no now my fervor was and is based off of one verse "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain...having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better" (Philip. 1:21-23). That verse is what brings that Sunday night to my current state of existence as a bond servant of Christ and to why I write to you today of the event that is shaking our foundation as Christ followers.
This simply put is we are asleep. Now I know your thinking what, all that buildup, the testimony of a suicidal teenager all for a metaphor. But yes that is what its all about. Christians today have fallen asleep to what following Christ is all about. We have gotten so used to our hotel room that is earth that we dismiss the writings of the apostles as that's a nice thought because yes im sure back then when they were in prison the would rather die than endure continued persecution. However let me assure you that was not their intent.
If you doubt me already that you yourself are most likely asleep let me ask you one question which is taken from the book which is changing my life as I turn the pages
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. The Slumber of Christianity by, Ted Dekker. Do you regularly, as did the apostle Paul, honestly crave to die and be with Christ because departing to be with Him is by far better than living to serve Him. Or as my father used to say if you could push a button and die and be in Heaven would you? Now I have been many places, countless cities spread across five countries and I have asked that question to many great Christ followers and gotten the same answer type of answer time and again. What are you nuts? No I want to get married, have a family, retire. Basically no I want to live my life why would I want to die, I mean sure heaven will be great but I have MY whole life ahead of me. Im not judging or saying your a bad person for thinking this way. I often have looked back and seen when I was so caught up in the world that I would have felt the same way. Until I was woken up from my slumber, realizing this isn't what its all about , being a missionary in a tropical country far from home isn't it. Just as I don't call Belize my home I don't call Iowa my home either. For I am a citizen of Heaven one day my visa will expire and I'm going home for eternity to spend it with my Father in an existence unfathomable in my current state.This is why I urge you my brother and sisters reading this, wake up wipe away the sleep that society has but in your eyes. Im not talking about the secular society I'm talking about Christian society from Churches who steer clear of the rapture and the fact that TO DIE IS GAIN if your have accepted the free gift of salvation. If you have yet to embrace Jesus Christ as your master and King than this right here is as good as it will get for after you die which could be at age 75 or in the next ten minutes it will only get worse for eternity. I realize by now I've said possibly some disturbing things but I refuse to apologize for the Bible the Word of God repeatedly mentions having an eternal perspective from Ephesians to Colossians and Galatians and I could go on and on
Sugar
. Now don't misunderstand me im not saying we should seek after death, I'm simply saying death is nothing , it has been defeated and we should yearn for that day when we are called home and not remain in this slumber. We should be filled with Gods love and shout it out saying give me your worst world because I am still heaven bound. Go ahead as many persecuted Christ Followers have said , "end my life, for I long to be with my creator and savoir."
I encourage you to go out and purchase The Slumber of Christianity ,by Ted Dekker. And also Falling for God, by Gary W. Moon. These two books have changed my life and I feel will do the same for you. Thanks for bearing with me through my long post, I pray for you that God will reveal himself to you , so that you may see as I have begun to, that He is all that matters today, tomorrow and forever.
Bond Servant of Christ
H Randall Pitschmann III
