The past eight months on the Race has shown me that I have a great passion for dreaming, and seeing others pursuing their kingdom dreams and their kingdom inheritance. The most recent dream of mine is to
build a tiny home (check out here for info)
That's right. My BIG dream, is a TINY home.
But it doesn't stop there. I want to develop that into an intentional community. I love what the Race teaches about living in community with others, as it has shed light on what it means to support each other and depend on each other in our respective strengths, as the body of Christ. And I want to see that continue after the Race.
So I have been researching intentional communities that exist in America (primarily through Shane Claiborne's impact). But I've noticed certain ill trends. These communities, while wonderful, kingdom centered groups, focused on living as the body of Christ and serving/empowering there communities, seem to have a time limit on them.
Even on the Race, while we love living in community, we get to a point of weariness of constantly living around each other 24/7. I believe the Lord has given me insight into this, and place a passion in my heart that has kingdom culture repercussions.
Enter the tiny home.
I became interested in these creations a little over a year ago, as my personality prefers and seeks out simple living and minimilization (not to be miserly, but to have more time for the Lord, for pursuing ministry, and for a less cluttered live of worthless things in the search for ETERNAL things). In my travels around the world, I have seen that most people live in close community with each other and their families, and yet they sustain a certain level of privacy (i.e. they have their own homes). The homes are small, with little material goods to the American eye, but these people seem to live a less cluttered, more restful, joy filled life (especially those following Christ).
So, what I see out of this is insight into why some intentional communities, are not sustainable in the American lifestyle. Americans (and I think most humans) are far too used to having just enough
personal space. Instead of living in the same building where you can't escape community, why not create a community of tiny homes where people are given the freedom to "choose in" but have just enough
personal space where the weariness of living in constant contact with others doesn't set in?
This is a part of my kingdom dream, and I believe part of my inheritance, to lead others in this type of lifestyle, that we can more effectively be an Acts 2 type of community, with the freedom to pursue ministry (as a life) and God's wishes for us, without being bogged down of the obligation of the financial commitment that a
standard "American" lifestyle holds us to.
But there are major hurdles to tackle. A financial startup cost seems insurmountable to a fresh-out-of-college-poor-musician-missionary.
Enter the idea of choosing faith over fear.
At every instance in our lives, no matter how seemingly insignificant, we are given the option to choose faith over fear. The enemy wants to keep us in a place of fear.
Of failure
Of personal harm
Of shame
Whatever that will keep us from being effective sons and daughters of God, and stewards of His kingdom work. But God gives us this choice, to be a part of His permissive will, which allows for fear, or His HIGHER will, which requires our faith and trust.
Look to the small, insignificant decisions, desires, and responsibilities of your life. Do you have faith or fear even in these? As we choose faith in the small, it prepares us and shows God that we can choose faith with larger things. Areas that may demand our all, risking our lives, but it also means that God's kingdom comes
in peoples lives, that they might find His redemption and salvation, and that we may see His glory.
So, for me, it would be easy to look at the odds against my kingdom dreams. But I choose faith. Because He's my Papa. And if He gives me the desire, He will provide for it, to bring glory to His name, even if it's a challenge to me.
Do you choose faith?
