6 days until I’m home…this is crazy. A few weeks ago, the Lord asked me to begin writing down one thing I miss from home and one thing I will miss from here every day. At first it was a fun thing to do that also helped me process the upcoming trip home. But a couple of nights ago, He prompted me to sit back down and look over all the things I had written. And I noticed a trend.
A majority of the things I miss from home, with the exception of my friends and family, were material things. My bed, hot water, my car, my bathtub, things like that. And most of the things I will miss from the race weren’t so much things as moments. Worship with the squad, bus rides, doing ministry together, cooking meals with my team. And of course I’ll miss material things here – the pool, Emma’s hammock with the perfect spot in the shade that I always sit in. But those things are nothing compared to the special moments I get to experience with my squad.
So many times, Jesus calls us to lay down our possessions and follow Him.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:21-25
I completely understand where the man is coming from in this passage. Living overseas has definitely highlighted how many luxuries I have at home. It’s hard to look those things in the eye and willingly give them up. But I’ve also learned that when you lay those things down, you realize that they bring no true joy to your life. Yes, a hot shower is nice. But it’s so much better to work out with friends and have that time together before showering so the cold water is refreshing instead of freezing. Yeah, having my own room is pretty great. But nothing can replace those late night conversations or those afternoons laying on the floor together under the one tiny ceiling fan (which is really just a normal floor fan hanging from the ceiling) desperate for a breeze to cool us off. Of course, having a closet full of clothes is pleasant. But living out of a backpack for nine months and ‘going shopping’ in other girls’ backpacks is an interesting, hilarious, chaotic experience that I think everyone should go through at least once in their lives.
When you give up your possessions for the Lord, He will replace them with moments that are literally 100x better!!!
So, yeah, I’m excited to go home. It will feel great to take a bath and sleep in the air conditioning and have all the things that I am so privileged to have. But I’m telling you, if I could start this journey from the beginning and give up everything all over again, I would. Because with giving up those things comes the chance to connect with the people of this country on a deeper level, and to connect with the people I’m living with on a deeper level. And I now know that if the Lord does call me to full time missions, if He calls me to live without the comforts of America, of course I can do that. Living life for the Lord isn’t easy, but it is so, so good.
Love you all,
Brook
