“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
-Jesus (John 10:10)
I heard a sermon by Dr. George Dillard this summer that struck me very deeply. The premise was about how existing and living are two completely different things. He said:
There is a difference between existing and living…..existing is biological whereas living is spiritual. Jesus came to show us how to move from existence into life!!!
I realized that no matter where we are and what we are doing, we can be living life to the full! One does not have to be in full time ministry to be living a life spiritually instead of biologically. The difference begins when we start to get intimate with Jesus…as we grow deeper in our relationship with Him, we begin to see more clearly the specific vision He has for each of our lives.
The opposite of living with vision is survival mode! (Sun Stand Still). How easy it is to fall into survival mode and completely miss the true life Jesus offers!!
The glory of God is man FULLY ALIVE!
– St. Irenaeus
I love that quote! If my purpose in life is to bring God glory, I have learned I must work in the places where I feel most alive!! Among other areas where God has given me talents and passions, one of the places I feel most alive is on the mission field!
The World Race was something that was on my heart a number of years ago and due to timing, fear etc. I let the idea fizzle out. Looking back now, I see the places God has been preparing me for this trip and I am humbled and thrilled that He has placed the calling on me again this fall, even more strongly than before!
At one point, during the application process, I was struggling with fears – finances, being away for a year, feelings of inadequacy. I was wrestling with the idea that there are so many other ways I can be living life to the full and bringing God glory….it doesn’t have to be a huge mission trip! I prayed, “Lord there ARE other ways to shine a light for you in this world right? Why the World Race?”
I felt His gentle answer reflect the very desire He placed on my heart,
“Yes…..but this is an OPPORTUNITY I am giving YOU!!!”
So, here I am…on this journey called the World Race. I am still learning everyday to move from existence into life, but I am ecstatic to see the ways God will continue to work in and through me. I long to live fully alive and that, in short, is how I was called to the World Race! 🙂
What areas of your ‘survival mode’ need to change so YOU can be moving out of existence and into life??
