It is crazy to think how I could spend 22 years thinking I had it all figured out only to leave everything I had ever known and loved in August 2018 and having my whole world turned upside down. In a way, I like to think God was finally turning my life right side up again. After spending almost 11 months traveling the world seeing things I never dreamed of seeing, my perspective on life completely changed.
I have seen more poverty in the past 11 months than I have seen all 22 years of my life.
I have walked streets with drug attics and alcoholics who were so lost and broken, desperately searching for something more.
I have worked in orphanages and had more little ones than I could count all calling “mommy, mommy” in desperate need to feel seen and loved.
I have lived in villages where the gospel and good news of Jesus had never been heard.
I have prayed for many, from all walks of life, who not only believed, but knew God would heal them in His timing.
I have gathered, in a tiny room, with women who all trusted God would meet their every need.
I have danced, in circles, with my five and six year old Cambodian best friends, in a big field, behind the school, while the sun was setting.
And more than anything, I have learned 11 months feels more like 11 weeks, and 11 weeks feels more like 11 days, and my life here on earth is so short compared to eternity in heaven.
The sooner I realized this earth is not my home, the sooner my perspective began to change. I began to look at how I would spend my time, money, and essentially everything I did a lot differently. I began to look at this life as if it was not my own, but it was meant only to be used to glorify God through everything I said and did. I quickly learned what really mattered in life and what used to seem so important, quickly became so insignificant.
Luke 12: 32-34 says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I learned I want to store up my riches in heaven that are for eternity, and not storing up earthly possessions that will be gone tomorrow.
I learned no matter where I am, whether that’s in Rome, Georgia or on the other side of the world, in a little village in Asia, I want to be extending Kingdom. I want to live my life in such a way other’s can experience the Father’s love.
So where ever you are, whatever you may be doing, I want to challenge you. How are you spending this sweet, amazing, extradorinaiy life you have been given, that before you know it will be gone in a blink of an eye?
Chasing after Jesus,
Emily Ann Burger
