While
I have been working on my support raising, I have had a few distinct
conversations that have for some reason or another stuck with me. Recently, I had a mentor ask me what I
thought the biggest problem I would attempt to solve with my year
overseas. I know that we will see
healing physically and spiritually, I know that we will provide food and
shelter for those who can’t provide for themselves, and I know that we will
even do labor for those living in bad conditions. However, that is not why this question stuck in my
head. I can’t shake this question
because I am left asking myself, what am I doing to solve problems here at
home? What are the pressing needs
that are suppressing our ministry here in the States?
With
politics fresh on every news station, I started looking into what was being
reported. There are several
problems that are facing our nation right now with the economy struggling,
family members being at war, and different systems not working quite as
planned. As I flipped through the
channels, doing more “research” and pondering this question, I came across a
House marathon (it’s one of my favorite shows, don’t judge me) and watched a
couple of episodes. After a few hour-long
episodes, an answer came to my mind…Apathy.
For
those of you that don’t know, I am a part-time student minister in my hometown,
so I deal with a lot of students that always have tough questions. Whenever I sit down with a student and
they start asking me questions, I respond with asking about what actions they
are actually taking. I ask them
this because all too often it is so much easier to sit on the couch watching
marathons and pondering life’s questions than it is to actually search for the
answers and step out. I am so
tired of my perpetual settlements for the less spectacular. I am tired of settling for lovers less
wild.
So,
I ask the question I often hear myself ask others; What now? Most of the students in my ministry as
well as most of the people that surround me have either grown up in church, or
at least know what the basic message of the Bible is. So how do we collectively take all this knowledge and put it
into action? We move. We are a spirit lead body and it’s time
for us to live like it. It’s not
enough to have a great idea or good intentions. It’s not about us being obedient on our own terms. It’s about us battling apathy and
comfort that is so tempting and surrendering to something that is bigger than
any of our temporary needs or wants.
It’s time for us who claim Christ to show the world what makes us
different and it’s not our cool t-shirts or fancy concerts. It’s the love of the One who showed us
love by not sparing an ounce of himself.
For
next few months, I want you to keep me accountable that I do not spend my time
counting down the hours until I head out to the mission field. I’m already there. This challenge goes for you as
well. May you take the steps you
are being called to and not hesitate because you serve a God that has already
promised so much more than just providing for your needs. Finally, I want to leave you with the
same challenge Simon Peter left to those who claimed to receive the same faith
as himself:
“Therefore, I will always
be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and
have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in
this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the
laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ
has made clear to me.”
2
Peter 1: 12-14
