I get a lot of attention because of what God has called me to in this stage of life. I'm sometimes praised for my courage or selflessness or obedience. The truth is, however, that I'm not any better than my brothers and sisters who are following God's call to stay, to serve God as teachers and wives and office staff and personal trainers and graduate students and so much more right here at home.
This blog is for all of them– my friends who are boldly stepping out into the lives God has called them to right here in the US but don't get the encouragement and attention I get simply because their next step of obedience doesn't look like mine. I want them to know that I see them and I'm proud of them. I'm excited to see what God is going to do in their lives and how He will touch their communities through their steps of faith.
This entry is written by a guest blogger, one of my best friends. She knows what it's like to go and she knows what it's like to stay, and she's found that it's less about where you go than it is about Whom you follow. I hope this can bring some love and encouragement to all of you who have brought so much love and and encouragement to me.
I believe it was in November that Kaleigh confided to me her intentions to go on the World Race. I had recently heard about the World Race from a friend (Jen Doll, who is currently abroad on the mission) and from friends back at my university. 11 countries in 11 months. Wow!
Well, you all don't know me, but if you did, you'd understand just how appealing that sounds. For me the idea of spending 11 months traveling through different countries, doing Kingdom work, hearing other languages, experiencing other cultures, even sleeping in a tent… all right up my alley.
Every bit of it sounds exciting and fun and so, well, so very me. (Oh right, I should probably clarify who "me" is.) I'm Brittany Burge. I'm a 22-year-old college graduate. A recently engaged missionary kid. My family moved to the Dominican Republic in 2005. I loved it. No culture shock (except the reverse kind). There really is something about submerging into another culture and language that teaches you how to intentionally love with your actions beyond words.
Anyway, to get to the point, Kaleigh and I have known each other since middle school. Somehow keeping in touch despite being hundreds of miles apart, we have each had moments where one of us has been uplifted by the other and encouraged in our journey towards Him. This blog is about one of those moments.
You see, I plan to go. And she plans to stay. But she is going now. And for now, I am staying.
The realization of such dramatic irony in our lives was certainly the making of a good late-night conversation. Why would God do that? You know, I've heard people warn other believers, "Never say you'll never do something! Because you know God will end up making you do just that!" And somehow, this always bothered me. As if God is vindictive or spiteful. "Ha! Well if THAT'S what they think, I'll show them!" As if He would pick the worst thing in the world for us to do just because we think it the worst thing in the world. No! That's not Him. I know Him, that's just not Him. So there had to be another way to explain this strange seeming reversal of roles between Kaleigh and I.
God wasn't calling Kaleigh to go because she wanted to stay. And He wasn't asking me to stay because I wanted to go. He’s offering an invitation. Will we follow Him -wherever- He calls? Will we go even where we do not want to go, like Peter? Will we trust that He knows better than we do? That, in His work to conform us to the image of His Son Jesus, He knows exactly what each of us needs?
Right now for Kaleigh, that's to go. And for me, it means to stay. God's ultimate goal with us is to conform us to His image, to help us to fulfill that Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself. He is teaching us to love like He does, and He knows exactly how to do it for every person individually. That's why faith and trust are so vital to our walk with Him.
Perhaps it would be helpful to our perspective if, in every moment, in whatever circumstance, we would not only learn to say "I love You", but hear Him saying, "I love you." Meaning, no matter where we are geographically, God is teaching us how to love, and reminding us of His love. Now, the fact is that Jesus called ALL of us to "go". That is the Great Commission. We are to make disciples of all nations. Does that mean you need to pack up and move to a 3rd world country? Maybe. That's what my family did. It's what they were called to for a time. But it doesn't automatically mean that.
There is a sphere of influence around you everywhere you go, whether it's Kenya or your hometown. Use it to bring the light of the gospel whenever you come into contact with another person. Live out the truth that "the Kingdom is at hand"! When Jesus sent the disciples to be witnesses, He said first to Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth [Acts 1:8]. They were in Jerusalem at the time. In other words, He said to start where you are, and spread out until you can't go any farther!
Keep doing until the work is done. The call is to follow. To go. To do the work He has prepared in advance for us. To become more like Christ. To love. And it's not always going to be comfortable. It's certainly going to challenge you! But I promise, it's worth it. Take up the invitation, go on the adventure.
That doesn't mean you have to leave your hometown… but it may! Trust Him, and He will take care of the rest. He knows where it is best for you to grow, He knows how to prepare us. But the beautiful thing is that He can work THROUGH you as He works IN you. Meaning, you don't have to be totally ready for it when He decides to use you. Just obey! Put your neck out there! Live like you believe Who He says He is and can do what He says you can do! Seek first the Kingdom and He will take care of you. [Luke 12:22-40]
For now, God knows I will learn more by staying as He prepares me to go. For Kaleigh, it means going even where she is uncomfortable. I'll admit, it's incredibly ironic. But we are trusting ourselves to God, who knows far better than we do. And we are on the adventure of a lifetime, living and learning in Love.
