ABOVE ALL ELSE

Epic was officially established in 2015 but it was created over the course of several years.  As the president of this non-profit, I am very thankful to have been given this privilege.  It is not without effort in gaining 501C3 status, but I couldn’t have done it alone and in fact it isn’t mine alone.  Many people should take delight in knowing that without them it wouldn’t be what it is today.  The name, direction, and vision for it has come out of taking one faithful step after the next, even when it has felt like we have been walking blindly.

We continue to walk step by step, not fully knowing what all is to come out of Epic, but with each step we get more of a pulse on what the vision may be.  I suppose this is what makes our foundation unique and difficult to run.  It was never my personal vision to be the president of a foundation or to be personally invested in a small country thousands of miles away from my home, but I beyond thankful that I am.

I know that this foundation will end up being used in a great capacity and that it’s impact will be more then in just one country, but when and how, has yet to be known.  I believe vision for “our slice of the pie” in making an impact on people in this world at this time in history, will come out of doing well with what and who we have.  This is a hard statement because Jesus defines doing well as laying our lives down.  Meaning that we are called to not act out of personal gain, and it would seem the only way to do this is, is to lay our lives down.

As much as I want to see Epic already doing projects, defining vision, and for myself being able to often travel to Haiti, so I can get moving on God’s heart to transform the country, I must lay my life down and trust that God will open these doors when it is time.  In the meantime I bring my burning heart to God and weep before him and in turn He pours His heart into mine and we have a beautiful exchange of intimacy.  In this place of intimacy with the God of Heaven and Earth and the king of my heart, He reminds me He is faithful and that His heart burns as mine does.  All that He has set forth to accomplish, He will accomplish and what I need, is not making change but being changed.  Becoming more like Jesus is to value hearts over projects and His presence over accomplishments.  This doesn’t change the fact that much will be accomplished and much will happen, but it is the heart of the good news that we find and it is He that we see.

So as we continue to wait for a broader “vision brush stroke” for Epic, we don’t deny what is on our hearts but we also won’t just quickly act for the sake of acting, because although we may paint a nice vision, it will not be the best vision.  It is the painstaking process of denying myself and bringing myself to Him as He makes me more like Him.  For myself, this looks like a man who doesn’t feel the need to conquer any vision but for my own heart to be conquered by love.  A man, who still burns and when it is feels as if it will not come to pass, I cry out to God and I am strengthened with love and filled with faith.  In exchange, this accomplishes Jesus’ greatest desire, that I would lay my life down, so that I may do well with what and who I have.

Above all else, watch over your heart because from it, comes everything in life.  Proverbs 4:23