Life

Usually I don't write about myself.

Well, here goes.

This past year has blown me away. From growing in my leadership roll at GU, to getting a new job at Plato's Closet, and my girlfriend breaking up with me... A lot has changed in my life. 

A lot of things that I thought I knew, I had to reconsider.

Now it's the end of the semester, one year to go until I graduate. I am so excited to be an RA again and invest in these guys' lives. I know that God will work this summer through my job and the bible study I am leading. But I have come to a new mindset: closure.

Seriously, I should not be ok. I should be going to my room and crying myself to sleep every night. I am a sinful and broken person... If I had to rate my thought life it would be rated R. If I told you how many times I longed for people's approval you may think I'm a bottomless pit of neediness. 

But my life is an example for you, that you may know the Christ, and believe in Jesus to have life.

What else is there in life but to glorify God? If you can think of a higher calling tell me, but I promise you you cannot. Even as I write this I'm reading the verse that is on my wall in my room, "where your treasure is, there your heart be also." Matthew 6:21 Where is your treasure? What are you living for? If it is anything other than Jesus, you will find yourself in a never ending cycle of filling yourself with ash. The world leaves you in despair, in filth, in ruin... Even though on the front end it looked like life, it led to death.

This is my closure. Though I am sinful, though I am broken, and though I honestly feel very lost and stuck... Christ is my life. He is my life, and He is the giver of life. Apart from Him all I am and do is death, but through Him I can put aside what kills me and cling to Christ who loves me. 

Think about these things. Comment If you're going through something similar, or direct tweet me at @RichardEngIs 

Random Cultural Issue of the Day: Online Dating

Is online dating a good thing for Christians  I think there are many questions behind that question. First of all, what is the will of God? If we examine the scriptures, we find that the will of God is firstly to be something and then to do something. You do what you are, therefore, God changes us from the inside out. The problem is, most Christians believe God has some sort of straight line for them to follow, and if they sway by one wrong decision then they are outside the will of God. Honestly, I do not know how one can justify this view. From what I see, God wants us to be filled with the Spirit, address each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, sing and make melody to the Lord in your heart, give thanks always, and submit as Christ submits. (Eph. 5:17-21) I also see the scriptures say that the will of God is sanctification away from sexual immorality, and to know how to control your own body in that respect. (Thess. 4:3-4) And lastly, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:1-2) These are just a few examples. The will of God is to be something, and then let our actions flow from that. 

Secondly, we must examine our intentions when it comes to online dating. If our intentions are to fill some emotional or spiritual hole in our lives by finding a mate... online dating, or any dating, could be destructive. The purpose of a relationship is to serve. (Phil. 2, Eph. 5:22-33) If we come to a relationship with the mindset of neediness, then the relationship will be doomed from the start. Only God can satisfy the deepest needs that humans have. Using dating relationships to fill that void is like trying to shovel dirt into a bottomless pit. It may feel like we are actually filling it at first, but it only makes us realize how empty we truly are. Only God can satisfy us fully, and stir up life in the deepest of our being.

Therefore, is online dating good? It depends on our intentions, and if we are in the will of God. Sometimes the will of God permits us to make decisions between two options that are amoral. Both could be good. This is why the Christian life is a life of discernment. Discernment is not deciding between what is good and what is evil, but between what is good and what is almost good. (Charles Spurgeon) Sometimes, depending on the situation, online dating could be a very good option for a believer who is both in the will of God, and satisfied in Him as well. This is why believers need renewed minds, to discern what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) This maturity comes through spiritual disciplines, and learning to develop the mind.