Help, there's a Lion in the Street! Or, Proverbs 26:13.

A lion, or is it more likely a little kitty cat? Note: not my photograph. I am not huge on using images that aren't mine, but for the blog, it works.

Seeking the will of God. This task has been for many people one of the most difficult parts of the Christian life. On paper it really is such a simple thing. What has God revealed in His Word? Start there. You're doing that to the best of your abilities? You've basically got free reign then, as long as it isn't sinful or obviously foolish.

But putting it into practice is hard. Am I a Christian? Check. Ok what next then? Am I doing this or that? Check. Or am I? Am I really doing what He has said in His word? How well am I doing them? Well enough that I can trust the 'desires of my heart' to be placed there by God? Enough to trust that He will direct my steps? Will He direct them because I actually am being faithful to Him? Am I? That's a different story. It's easy to get lost there.

As I approach a major birthday milestone, it's very easy to look back on my life at the very long list of failures. The false starts. The seasons and seasons that were buried under my own personal afflictions, laziness, and failures.

I ought to look at what He has given me: the gifts and abilities, the people, the experiences. Combine that with a recent sermon I listened to, a sermon challenging those who desire to achieve something, that they should toil for it and not just be a mere talker. I am a dreamer and a talker, but a doer?

Yeah, I've had a lot of hit and misses.

But I do believe that God has given me certain abilities and talents, and if I am to honor Him, then I am required to use those for His purposes and glory. I don't want to be the faithless and fearful servant who went and buried his talent in the ground, only to find his master return one day and demand a return on his investment.

So what am I driving at? That while I have absolutely no idea the road that this is going to take, I want to start over, to begin again, to get this thing off the ground. It will only happen with God's help. And I am asking you to pray for me on this journey. If it succeeds, it will by God's grace. If it fails, I want it to at least fail because it simply wasn't His plan, not because of my fear and faithlessness. This is quite a confession and plea, but the truth is, starting a website, blogging, and putting ones adventures and art out there for all to see is a huge risk in terms of vulnerability. I know that I am not entirely ready for the push back, the critique, and the let downs that will inevitably come in this endeavor.

But if this is right, if these desires are things He has placed in me. If this can and will glorify the God who saved me by the atoning work of His Son, who created me for good works that He Himself planned before the world began. Then I believe the truth is: it cannot fail, even if it does.

If this can and will glorify the God who saved me... Then I believe the truth is: it cannot fail, even if it does.

I'll close with this. I know this will morph over time. I can't possibly know the end result, I only know the first steps. I ask you to pray for me as I take those steps. And may it all result in the praise of the One who holds it all. If I sound pious, know this: I am terrified!

But I am compelled to at least try.