Self portrait where I'm only visible from the eyes-up and hanging upside down from the top of the frame.

From the Desk of Brian Richards

A collection of thoughts and Ideas from Brian Richards, creator of WPSessions.com

New Life

Forgive me in advance for what is about to be a very scattered post. I was lying in bed only moments ago, reading Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborn and had to log some of my thoughts.

For the first time in my life I want to live in a way that draws attention. Not for being better at something, or for succeeding in something that is ultimately meaningless, but for standing out against the normal patterns of humanity.

I want to reach out to others in need and help them as best I can. I want to give up my excess so that others can simply have enough. I want to give it all away. Will I? Can I? That I do not know. What’s important is that for the first time, possibly ever, I am truly desiring it.

This last week God has shown me great things. Never before have I known how he would use me, or why he was calling me. All along I’ve known that he was calling me to do something different; calling me to do something greater. It wasn’t until I visited Josh at Watermelon Ministries that I got a glimpse of just how great my service can be. For me, it isn’t enough to simply focus some of my time on ministry. God hasn’t called me to “help others when I can”, God has called me (all of us, even) to serve others always.

For the last two years I have been praying for God to use me in some way, to guide my steps and show me where to go. Really, what I had been asking for is “God, help me find an excuse to keep doing commercial work so that I won’t have to experience poverty for myself.” It is time I stop playing things safe — I am ready to live recklessly for Christ.

On the surface this means that I will be working for His House and sharing my talents to bless as many other ministries as I can. Underneath this means that I will be pruning back the areas in my life that I have not yet turned over to Christ.

After this month I will no longer be taking on commercial design projects. God has called me to separate myself from the ways of the world, and I wish to honor that call. There is more to this life than money, and I hope to experience that. I no longer wish to live as myself; I have died to that way of life. I have found new life. Christ lives within me.

Please pray for me as I begin a new walk with Christ. Pray that I could continue to persue a life of financial instibility and would rejoice in it.

Thank you for taking the time out of living your life to learn a little bit about mine. May God bless you!

-Brian


Posted

in

Comments

4 responses to “New Life”

  1. pilypala Avatar
    pilypala

    I am an atheist myself(at least still is) but actively exploring the spiritual side of humanity. I found your work amazing and I applaud your decision to devote your work to more spiritual side of the universe as well. I believe nothing of importance has ever been done just for money. There’s always more to it.

    I am much older than you. I am almost 27. Seeing your work has put shame on me…Even though I’ve received really good education, I do not think I’ve produced much valuable work. I’ve always doing things to satisfy the expectations others and because of my fear of future financial instability.

    My post graduate years have been rocky. I jumped from job to job, feeling unfulfilled working just for money, aimless in pursuit of material wealth, constantly in stress in the big rat race it is.

    Now I’ve been putting my of my time into exploration of spiritual side of me and try to understand more of myself. What is it that I am here for? What do I want to create and to leave as my legacy after I die? Questions like this help me calm myself down and really focus on only the important things in life.

    However, I am still not completely spiritual as you are. The mentality one can devote myself entirely to God and forget all about secular things in life is still quite beyond me but I understand it is maybe the surest path to happiness. just

    Anyhow…it’s just my rambling…

    btw. your photography section is 404. I want to see some of your work there as well 🙂

  2. Jarrod Avatar

    Yeah!
    I’m feeling the call to this path as well. I’m not sure in what capacity, I’d love to do music but we’ll see what presents itself. I’ll keep you in prayer and I’d ask for yours as well.

    It’s exciting!

    @pilypala:
    keep searching for truth friend, i’m sure you’ll find it if you honestly seek it. I can tell you though that I am loving trying to live the kind of life that Jesus taught was possible. It’s very freeing.

  3. brian Avatar

    @Pilypala:
    Where have you seen my work? At the time of that comment my website was nearly barren with the exception of a few blog posts. I’m rather intrigued.

    It is definitely difficult to throw off these worldly chains. Even still I find myself clinging to these notions that I can find security in wealth when it constantly proves to not be the case. I have found that the best policy is to invest in people, as they’re the ones that really make this life count.

    I’ll keep you in my prayers, my friend. Thanks so much for sharing! I’d love to see some of your work if you’d be willing to post a link.

  4. Joel Avatar

    Brian, thanks for the update and writing this in your post. Neat to see mention of Watermelon and the impact that Joshua’s ministry had on you as you served him. No doubt, that’s how this new life in Jesus Christ is made manifest. I admire your quest. Godspeed!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *