My first month of the world race is complete, I’m at my first debrief, this is my first time out of the country, and man oh man is God teaching me to love firsts.
I’ve never been much of a stickler for routine and complacency, however I never truly knew the extent of my love for change and newness. He has overwhelmed my heart with a sense of belonging in each new place I go and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.
An increase in first time experiences also makes room for extreme levels of discomfort. Walking into ministry presents a new challenge each day and the only way to survive is by faking it until you make it no matter how awkward it might feel. With every cringeworthy moment I recall a song my high school church choir used to sing entitled Undignified. It goes…
“I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king nothing lord is hindering this passion in my soul”
followed by the declaration:
“I’ll become even more undignified than this!”
Standing in front of a classroom of students and being asked to teach them English by singing pop songs definitely didn’t do my pride any favors. Each day entering into ministry I had to check my dignity at the door and live a life chasing after God rather than the approval of others. And each day he showed up and gave me more and more opportunities to show undignified love to others.
So I want to encourage you to be undignified in your everyday life. Whether it be telling an absurd story just to make your friends laugh as my teammate Annie often does, or going the distance to serve someone unexpectedly. God sees your courage and He rewards your humility. So laugh, cry, sing, dance, and never be afraid to throw your dignity out the window for the sake of Christ.
“If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God.” -1 Corinthians 5:13
