As I sit down to try and think of something to write about, I know that I can tell you about many things this month. I could tell you about the hard work we have been putting in to this summer camp, about self-discipline, or the wonderful cooks & cleaning ladies who work here. But instead, I know that God is nudging me to write about something I have become very passionate about. This month, I have been working in Albania with 4 other teams and the squad leaders, which is about 36 people. During months where there are a lot of people, it means less time to yourself and more time in community. It can mean going on fun adventures on off days to different countries like Kosovo or to the castle here in Lezhe. But it can also mean spending less time with the Lord, if you let it slip by. While I was sitting by myself on the balcony and enjoying the afternoon off while others were out in town, I began to really seek the Lord on this.
“God, where is my joy? Why do I feel so numb? Why do I feel like I am not being challenged mentally or spiritually?”
It was then that He began to reveal some hard truths to me. I had become complacent. I had given in to a month of idleness. You see, when you get a large group of people together, there are bound to be some dominant personalities and those who are willing to give talks and share things with the entire squad. And when this happens, it is all too easy to take make excuses and begin to let others do things for you. You know, kind of like when you go home to visit your parents and your mom is willing to do your laundry, cook for you and get things for you. It’s very kind and a blessing, don’t get me wrong; but it can become a lifestyle of laziness if you let it. I came to a point where I felt like my brain couldn’t even think of topics to talk about or things to discuss during our daily Proverbs devotionals. Enough is enough! I know that God has given me a voice to share my thoughts and to actually think of thought-provoking questions. I know He has gifted me with the ability to encourage and uplift others, yet I had chosen the easy way out of not pouring into those around me. I had begun to smother the fire that He lit in my soul. So no longer am I going to do the menial tasks that are set before me just because I am told to do so. No longer am I going to just sit and let myself zone off. Don’t you understand that this carries over in other areas of your life? Once you settle for comfort and things that are constantly being handed to you, it can snuff out the fires and passions that are inside you.
The two things I really want to get across to you are these: 1) Fight for your time with the Lord and 2) Don’t give into complacency. On the Race, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the wondrous and exotic things around us and often times we forget to just rest. There it is, that word that makes those type A, adventurous, go-getters cringe. But the truth is, if we are too busy to make enough time for God, then we are all too busy to begin with. Yes, it is a plus to be able to travel the world and meet people from different countries and visit amazing places. But, I have to remember why I came on this Race to begin with. And that is to grow in my relationship with the Lord. It’s hard to grow when you don’t allow time for Him to speak to you. I know that I definitely suffer from some border-itch, and love to do adventurous things on the weekends, but God has really taught me that the only thing I am missing out on is more time with Him. I fully believe that one can spend time with the Lord while traveling and doing all of these fun activities, but I know that personally, I fill up more by just spending a full day with Him and listening to whatever He has to say. I grow most when I give it all over to Him and surrender my plans to the One who knows best. My point is this: make time to fill up in the Spirit because that is where all joy and peace of mind come from. It is OK to rest your mind, body and soul. My happiness does not come from the cool sights I have seen or even the people I have become close to. True happiness stems from an intimate relationship with the lover of my soul. You need to fight for your time with the Lord every single day, because He has so much to teach us. Don’t you dare for a second believe that your fulfillment or happiness could ever come from another person, vacation or item you have placed temporary value on. This life is fleeting.
That being said, I urge you to dig deep for a minute. Take some time to list off the passions that you have or once had. Whether that is writing, photography, teaching, dancing, starting your own bakery or coffee shop, you name it… Know that these are gifts and have been placed inside you for a reason. These passions don’t define you but are talents or dreams that can be embraced instead of pushed aside. I know that there are a lot of people out there who feel stuck in a 9-5 job or who are just working to save up for retirement. I am not negating any of those jobs but I challenge you to take a step outside of your comfort zone. Do you know there are over 27 million people enslaved in modern day slavery? It isn’t just happening in Thailand, Cambodia, Eastern Europe or other far away countries around the world. It is happening in the United States and probably right where you are now. This is not some mythical story that is happening in a far away land. These are real people that are forced and beaten into being raped numerous times a day or working 20 hour days in brick factories, thinking this is all their life is worth or will ever be. Let’s not have the defeatist attitude anymore. Let’s do something and take a stand against the injustice that is going on right in front of us. I encourage you to do some research and look into how these women, men and families become trafficked around the world. Dive deep into your passions, invest in the lives of others and fill that void with what the Lord is telling you to do. But don’t you dare get caught up in a life of idleness. Enough of this fend for yourself mantra because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s lay down our lives for them and step out of that complacency. It’s time to make a move.
