Who I am, and Who I Strive to Be

Who am I?

Michael Bennett is the name that appears on my birth certificate, along with the rest of the necessary information. On a certain day this fall, I will have lived nineteen (19) years, and I am already feeling the weight of that number. Haha, not really.

I am constantly interested in everything because I am naturally inquisitive. I wish to know everything, and I work hard to know as much as I can. So it should not surprise you that I enjoy school, and facing the challenges of learning new things. I remind myself of Harriet the Spy, because in the movie Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Harriet, said "I want to know everything, so I write down everything." I may not go so far as to write down my findings, but I will investigate and make mental notes. Despite my ranging and sometimes changing interests, I do have a few stable interests:

• Computer Graphics
• Painting, drawing, anything traditional.
• Reading
• Interior Design
• Music

Other than who I am physically and what interests me, it is important to know that I am a Christian. If you are the type of person who likes to label, I am Pentecostal, and I attend Marietta Church of God. But if you are not the type to label, I am merely a disciple of Christ who: 1) desires a closer relationship with God; 2) strives to reach my full potential in Him; and, 3) asks God to use me in whatever way to reach, to minister, to show His love to whoever is willing to hear. It is my deepest desire that I please God, and that I accomplish His will for my life. I know that I have a lot to offer, and I constantly pray that God would break me, mold me, and make me into the person He can use to spread the Good News to this lost and dying world.

I have a heart to minister to people in need. I love reaching out and showing God's love. I love working at the soup kitchen at the Clara White Mission House in downtown Jacksonville, though I haven't in a while. I love to encourage people, period. This last school year, I worked on a campaign called Loose Change to Loosen Chains (LC2LC). This campaign was created by teenager Zach Hunter (through the International Justice Mission) with the purpose to free modern day slaves. (Read his book "Be the Change". It is truly inspirational.) Had I known introducing this campaign to the National Honor Society at my alma mater high school would be so hard, I really believe that I would have had second thoughts. As an officer, I was delegated as the campaign leader. Hah, what a time. I, and those on the committee, talked to several community businesses to sponsor us and to allow us to campaign at their business. I designed a t-shirt and had to find a business to screen print them. We rallied and asked for donations. I even did a speach at an assembly to raise awareness of modern day slavery. We visited classrooms and gave presentations. It was a lot of work, and I wished several times I had never asked to do the campaign. I even told the NHS teacher sponsor that I quit because of several problems, but she gave me a kick in the butt. ;] All in all, the Lord really opened my eyes to what He can do through those who are willing to be used. I asked Him at the beginning of the year when I introduced the campaign to use it to help others. He did. We raised over $200 in loose change, which went to help free a slave. God also used the committee's presentation of LC2LC to open the eyes of several students and have them share the campaign at their church.

Who I Strive to Be.

I strive to be perfect in God. My idea of "perfect in God" consists of being where He wants me to be, who He wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do, and reaching my highest potential of who I am in Him. He created me for a purpose, and I want to get to the place that I am living that purpose out. I want God to use me to the fullest. I know that He will use my art because He has already told me. I sing, and I want Him to use me to minister through song. I enjoy public speaking, and if it is something God wants to use, I do as well. Whatever talents and abilities I have, I want God to be able to use them to further His Kingdom. I want to be a tool that He readily uses, and one that He often returns to use.

As a disciple of Christ, I strive to be more like Him and less like the world. Though I am not perfect, and I often fall flat on my face. Praise God for His mercy, His love, His forgiveness. Otherwise, I would be lost. Completely and utterly lost.

I apologize for the quite extensive post, especially with it being the first. I suppose this is something you should look forward to, assuming you return. lol. God bless and sayonara.