Over the last few weeks I have spent hours of time with friends and family. It has grown increasing real in my life just how important fellowship among believers really is. I guess I’ve reached this point where I question how anyone can do life by oneself, let alone the Christians. Not only would it be incredibly lonely, but you miss so much in your spiritual life. You miss all kinds of opportunities to learn from other people who have countless words of wisdom; you lose out on the growth that comes from pouring into another person, or discipling someone; you don’t experience sacrifice or service to another.
For me, I’ve realized that fellowship in the body means stepping up and helping out when it’s needed, even sometimes before being asked. It means being willing to do the dirty jobs because you know it will help the other person–whether tangibly or spiritually. It means taking a look at life outside of yourself. Can you imagine living in a Christian society that wasn’t so selfish? What would that look like? Maybe then we (myself included) would actually start to look different from the world.
My bible study was talking about this very concept this past week. We were reading through Romans 12 and I found myself dumbfounded by the commands in there. It seems so simply worded, yet it is incredibly difficult to live. It is like a rude awakening each time I read it.
I have a little note in my bible jotted next to verses 10-21. It reminds me of a day back in January while I was on the World Race. I was woken up by a teammate when I felt like I could still use some beauty sleep, so I was grumpy. A little while later I began reading those verses and I felt the Lord telling me to examine my heart. Why was I woken up? For team prayer. That is completely ridiculous of me to arrive grumpy for prayer just because I selfishly wanted to sleep longer. When I think about that now, a lot begins to come clear. We were staying in a public hostel in Beijing at the time, and sat in the common room, among many non-believers–both nationals and tourists–that very well could have been impacted by us. Here we are, a group of North American Christians, huddled around a table in a closed country, praying…and yet what was I saying by my attitude?
Through all of this time spent with family and friends, I am sure I have still chosen myself over others many times. But I am hoping, that as I grow in spiritual maturity, that I begin to see the chances to actually live like Christ and chose that over my self.
Praise God! I have a flight to Georgia. Thank you, Lord for providing a family to cover that cost.
*These are the items I am still in need of before I leave on Tuesday:
-Travelers Insurance $200.30–this covers from the end of this month until mid December
– Final Cut Express $199–this is in order to make videos while in Swaziland to help spread the word of their need there.
– AppleCare $249–this is to extend the service for my computer while I am away.
– Sleeping bag–I am in need of one that stuffs small in order to save on space in my pack.
– Head lamp–I lost mine while in Kenya, and it is a lifeline in Africa.
*Please, if you are able to help out with any of these items, let me know. I am trusting that God will supply me with what I need before I leave for Ireland.
