Many pastors and spiritual leaders teach about Moses. Even if you are a pure atheist, in the western culture, it’s a good chance you have heard about God’s exploits through him. Most people know about the Red Sea parting, the Egyptian plagues, and the Ten Commandments. Most people miss the time the Children of Israel spent in the desert. They wandered forty years, in the desert! The desert is an inhospitable environment, especially without the modern conveniences we enjoy today. But, there in lies the beautiful blessing of that desert experience.

The Bible says that God himself guided them by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. It’s amazing to me that God made sure they didn’t get lost because He led them Himself. Moses was the man in charge, but he too was just a follower. It’s an amazing thought that in the heat of the desert sun, God himself kept them cool with a cloud. In the cool of the of the desert nights, God Himself kept them warm with fire. On the surface these miraculous signs aren’t as flashy as turning water into blood, but to the lost, sunburned, and hypothermic it is love on display.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we hate dry and barren places. Instead of literal deserts, we go through metaphorical ones all the time. Our relationships, our finances, and our dreams go through times of great difficulty. Hard times never feel good, and we can find ourselves complaining and wishing for better days. That is the same response as that of the children of Israel. It frustrated both Moses and God. But, in those hard times its important to look for God’s blessing. Most often, He is just ahead of us guiding the way to the more fruitful promised land. Hard times always come, but God is always their leading and making the way a little more bearable. 

It’s interesting to me that people begin grand ideas and dreams and they often fail to think about what would happen if they actually succeed. We are hard wired to consider what would happen if we failed, but success is often more of an elusive thought. When I set out to write, College Impact: Empowering Collegiate Christians for Campus Influence, I tried not to make that mistake. Now, I am seeing the reality of what I thought was remotely possible, and I am still a little blown away.

I have seen the affects of the principles in College Impact in the lives of my students, and it has been miraculous. One example is Samantha T. who ran for and was voted senior class president. She took the position so that she could influence the lives of her classmates for the next 50 years. There is also Eugene D. who is leading His campus ministry in what would be considered, in many circles, revival. That is fruit from my labor, and it should be expected. Not because I am anything, but because God is good.

The thing that has been “wowing” me is the numbers of students that have been getting their copy of “College Impact” and actually making a difference on their perspective campuses. One student is Kwame who is a student at a Georgia school. I spoke to him and a few other students from his school, and he was so inspired that he is not only running for student government president, he is also using my basic premise, “Reach the Campus, Reach the World” for his campaign tag line.

This is what my book is all about, helping students find the most strategic place to shine for Jesus. When students decide to live in a way that brings glory to Him, they as adults would live the same way. This was the big dream when writing the book, and the fact that it is happening is overwhelming my heart. It is my constant prayer that God would use those words to change students, campuses, and the world. So, please join me as I continue to push this book as far as it can go, so that more Samantha’s, Eugene’s, and Kwame’s wake up to the greatness God has for them.

Many people don’t know this, but I have been a photographer since high school. I even worked as a photographer for a local college to make money while I was a student. I, over the years, have endeavored to take photos that inspire people to think and wonder. The photo above is one of my favorites. I took it in Los Angeles while in the back of my friend’s church. She was walking ahead of me, and I yelled just keep walking. I don’t know about other photographers, but I just know when I am taking a special picture.

This photo reminds me that sometimes we must walk alone. It shows the isolation that we feel when making a decision that is unpopular, taking a giant risk, and/or beginning to live above the standards of those around us. I have felt this way at several junctures in my life. The first was when I became a Christian in the midst of few other true Jesus followers. I also remember that feeling while moving to Atlanta and the great unknown. I am in a similar place now, and this picture gives me comfort.

Sometimes we just know that we are going in the right direction even though the dark alley in which we find ourselves seems barren. Ahead we see the signs telling us to keep moving forward. It’s both cold and lonely, but the future is bright and inviting. It’s a reminder that things are going to get better because God is leading us on.

The Bible says, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matt 7:14 I don’t know what challenges you are facing, but I know God is faithful and committed to your ultimate success. The gate may be narrow and there may not be many on it, but you never know who is behind you yelling, “Just keep walking,” because they will be following close behind. You may feel alone, but you aren’t. Be encouraged!

When I say that the enemy of my destiny is myself, this does not ignore outside forces and pressures. There are real challenges standing in our way and competing with our success. Two key components seek to hinder our progress. They are, the devil and people (enemies/haters). This does not exempt us from accomplishing our goals, but it is an acknowledgement of the barriers ahead.

There is a real devil. The Bible paints pictures of a fallen angel, who with all his fury, fights against us made in God’s image. “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.” 1 Peter 5:8 There is a real, though invisible attack against us. So, how can I say that we are our greatest enemy? Here is the truth about the devil; he has no more power over us than we give him. His main strategy is to send temptation our way, then he watches us trip over ourselves.

The Bible gives us the prescription to overcome these temptations. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 There are two things you can do to overcome the devil. The first is to submit to God. Most people will never see their destiny because they refuse to submit to God. They are content to exist under their own power convinced of their own self-importance. That breaks my heart because God went through great lengths to rescue them because He loves them. The second thing necessary to triumph over the devil is to resist him. This is what many Christians (including myself at times) fail to do. The Bible says that the followers of Jesus have already overcome. We need only refuse to give in, and the devil will run away. Once again, we have a choice to make.

The second outside opposition comes from those who have set themselves up as enemies against us. At times there are people who simple don’t like us and are bent on our downfall. Some may be in our own families, like the parent who abandoned or abused. Others are rivals at work or from school, and they remain a constant force against us. Still other detractors come from jealously because our endeavoring to live out our created purpose. What do you do with these “haters”. Jesus taught us to kill them… with kindness! “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 Although, this scripture bothers me as a “hatee”, Jesus changed the world using this approach.

Too often we are either focused on the devil or people as our enemies, and the truth is that we have power to make better decisions. When attacked by the devil, we should submit to God and resist the devil. With people, we are to love them in the light of their hatred toward us. Neither one of these approaches is easy, that is why very few ever see their destiny. It’s not about “them”, God is always ready to fulfill His purpose in us. He wants that more than we do, but we have some decisions to make that will help us get out of our own way.

God has a plan for my life. God has a plan for your life. God is more committed to fulfilling His purpose in our lives than we are. So, why do so few people accomplish these plans? The problem is not with God’s ability; if He can create a universe than trust me, your life is not that hard for Him. It’s not even someone else’s hatred toward us, or our parent’s inability to prepare us for life. Our issue is with ourselves, because we are our greatest enemy.

It’s easy to put blame on others for our own lack of effectiveness. Why take the blame when there are so many people out there more deserving than us. My father abandoned me; my mother did her best but made many mistakes. My school district was not the best, and they pigeonholed me as an underachiever early. I grew up poor and lived in a homeless shelter for a while. Surely, I have a reason to live beneath my potential. None of the above are valid excuses for me to wallow in self-pity and refuse accomplish all God has for me.

It’s often not our own struggles, issues, and problems, but how we decide to move forward that will determine our futures. Our past is relevant to our journey because it often helps us see both the challenges and benefits we have facing us. It gives us insight into the guidelines we will need to govern our conduct. For instance, if you have a family who makes poor financial decisions, then you may need to stick to a stringent budget. Our past shouldn’t define us, but it should direct us.

We need to strike a healthy balance between not giving ourselves excuses and giving ourselves room to be flawed. How? I don’t know. I believe that it is different for every person. I think I know what it looks like in my life, but to be honest I am still figuring it out. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have issues, but I can’t allow my issues to stop my progress. My greatest enemy is within me, but I can’t let it stop me. There is too much destiny to be fulfilled!

I love Romans 7 because it reminds me that even a great biblical hero like Paul knows what its like to struggle. The chapter ends with verse 25 and its amazing truth.  “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”  Just as wonderful as that thought very next verse in chapter 8:1-2 gives us hope for the times when we do falter. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” So yes, we have an enemy within us, but Jesus is champion so we can fulfill everything God has for us. That’s good news.