Drive In Jesus, ASK and SEEK

I jog in the evenings.

When the night is sultry and at its peak, just before the sun relents to the beckoning of the moon's inevitable draw, I jog.

There's much purpose in jogging. Yes, I appreciate the physical benefits. But, to the glory of God, I see the Spirit at work in these times unlike any other.

Last night, I jogged; it was warm, maybe 75, and I sweat. I ran 3 miles, then stopped in a small park and did some sit-ups, pull-ups, and jumping exercises. Then, I walked for a while and just asked the Spirit to move; asked the Spirit to speak.

Coming off Mike's wedding weekend--Michael and Jodie for president!-- I was prepping for my first day of my new job in Manassas, VA. I also haven't seen my girlfriend in 10 weeks, a circumstance that I really have struggled through, probably more tahn I've been letting on. I also just feel confind by the season of life sometimes, by the question that pulls at the heart and mind of every man at different points: am I really living out my purposes? An important question, yes; but one that a man needs to resolve in order to...well, live out his purpose.

Purpose: I walked, wrestling with my heart toward Lauren, toward life, toward myself, my family, my friends...wrestling for peace there. God, display your glory admist struggle; triumph over sin; redeem the day; let your kingdom come; let us see you as we...

I hesitated in mid-prayer as the Ford F-150 drove by me with a burst that thrust me back into my present circumstances. The truck was impressive, yes; it wasn't teh truck itself that really awed me, though--it was his license plate:

IN JESUS

No two words could have elicited better praise as my grin peaked open and my lips whispered the finish to my prayer, "Let us see you as we drive In Jesus."

Delicious Spirit-leadings dripped from my spiritual palate as I walked on, rejoicing in God's sovereignty to literally form my prayers in my environment around me. I prayed for the community I was in, for the people and families I was passing, for the guys across the street who were black.

Why do they have to be black? I thought. Can't they just be people. I felt ashamed and hurt by my thought and frustrated with that, which gave room for frustration with feeling frustration about not hearing from Lauren for several weeks, which gave rise to frustrations about my own heart-- when will it settle, be at peace, even now in this evening of great praise, I don't know what to do just to find...

A dark-blue Toyota two-door sudan rolled by almost silently, at least compared to the truck from earlier, but two bright lights dimly illuminated a tiny license plate hanging from its back bumper:

ASK SEEK

I stopped. I smiled the coy, ironic smile of a young man wholly-contented, whose father provides even before his asking.

Then, I jogged.