“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:3-7
I sit on the bus that we have been riding for 37 hours and watch as we pass by buildings, shops, and cars. Things i haven't seen since i’ve been in America, 8 months ago. I have a mini panic attack as we merge onto 7 lane traffic. We are entering South Africa, and at first my heart slows in familiar comfort of the material possessions and fast pace moving thats going on around me. Then, i start to get uncomfortable with how comfortable i am. For the last couple of months we have been in African outskirts. We have had to walk outside to a squatty house, walk 4 miles to our ministry location and not have electricity. It has been refreshing and spiritually renewing. The Father shows up in new ways when you have no other distractions except the sounds of nature around you, and maybe some complaining about the squatty house from your teammates but other than that, no distractions. Africa has been a reviving couple of months, not just Africa but this whole race. You learn whats important, you learn what is a necessity and what is just vanity.
Tears start to form as i realize the emptiness of it all. I start to scream inwardly at the abundance of so much stuff. I read billboards that advertise cars, makeup, cell phones, and sometimes, people. My heart races and i start to pray. I have read stories about racers coming home and walking into wal-mart or a mall and they end up on the floor of an isle crying. I never really understood the reverse culture shock of it all, but Jesus was giving me a glimpse into what i would be walking into in 3 months. I also think he was giving me his eyes for it all. Vanity, all of it. Emptiness, and false freedom that i once lived in and felt full, or at least i thought i did. I’m reminded of King Solomon's last words in Ecclesiastes and my heart fills with grief.
“Whatever my eyes desired i did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then i considered all that my hands had done and the toil i had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”
-Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
The things of this world are not what The Father wants us to be striving after. His calling for us is holy and set apart. The world is asleep to that fact as they buy more and more material possessions that they wont be able to take with them when they die. They sell themselves out to a corporate job that will give them a lot of money so that they can buy an abundance of things that they think will give them a good life. They want every instant passion they can find so they buy pornography, go to strip clubs, and invest their “freedom” into their own emptiness.
WAKE UP. WAKE UP. WAKE UP.
“For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”
-1 Corinthians 7:22-23
God did not send Jesus to die a brutal death, and then raise him up after 3 days so you can walk around this earth ready to hangout. He is ready to give you a purpose. From the beginning of time he has had plans for your life, He has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). He does not desire for you a life that the world tells you is enough, because he knows its NOT. Wake up to the calling and the voice of the Holy Father who knows the emptiness you feel and the hopelessness that you dwell in. He has a future for you, he has fullness for you. Just take it and walk into his marvelous light that Christ BOUGHT for you with his blood.
