During our six month debrief at the beginning of this month I was introduced to a man named Brian. Brian was a World Racer not so long ago, and now he’s living here in Lilongwe, Malawi focusing his ministry on the hundreds of impoverished street children.
During one of our evening sessions he addressed the group. In addition to sharing his testimony and the amazing things God has done in his life, he also encouraged us to keep focused and press into each and every day. He reminded us that we have the unique opportunity to be used by God not only here in Malawi but all over the world.
It’s easy at the six month mark, to get used to and almost comfortable with what we’re doing. But what Brian reminded us of that night was that, for most people, a three week “mission trip” once a year is a huge deal. They prepare for it, look forward to it, and sometimes base their entire year around it. He said, “Imagine how excited you would be to be back home getting ready to go on a three week trip to Malawi.” And he was absolutely right, yet somehow this has become every-day life for us. It’s just as easy to lose focus of our purpose here as it was back home. Easy to get tired, selfish and to miss the opportunity to love the person in front of us.
Brian’s message gave me new resolve and spurred me to re-commit myself to being fully present, but it also started me thinking about home.
Mostly in a how can I apply this to my life sort of way.
I want to carry the lessons I’ve learned this year into the years ahead and the truth is, every day you’re alive presents it’s own “one-time-only” opportunities regardless of where you are. We all have people in our lives that need to hear that God wants to meet them right where they are. Every conversation can be a chance to share the love we know – in Africa and America alike.
I know that when this journey is over, I’ll continue encountering these unique opportunities and my prayer is that I’ll continue to recognize them.
And that’s my prayer for you too: that you’ll recognize the opportunities that are given to you each day and make the conscious decision to seize every one.
Because at the end of the day, life itself is just a series of one-time-only opportunities. Don’t let it pass you by.
