The other day I was in Jack in the Box to order myself some hot tasty tacos for lunch. Call me crazy, but to me those things are delicious. I know they are probably terrible for me (I dont want to look up the nutrition facts), but I simply cannot resist. Anyway, I was standing in line while the gentleman in front of me pondered his lunching decisions. His name was Dave, and fiinally, after a few seconds of what appeared to be an not-so satisfying conclusion, Dave began to tell the cashier his order. Through a deep, laid-back, back-country-road accent and a fluffy white beard, he said, "Yeah I'll take a diet coke…some french fries…and one-a-them Jumbo Jack deals you got there."
At first, I just chuckled to myself at his personality. But then I realized something else (some of you may have caught it too). Dave totally threw the cashier for a loop because he ordered his meal backwards. He completely threw the cashier, Adam, and myself off guard. Adam had to repeat the order to himself just so he could enter it into the computer properly. When I eventually got my food and sat down at the table to enjoy my delicious Jack in the Box tacos, it hit me.
Dave didn't live by anyone else's rules or status quos. He wasn't a slave to the rule that at fast food restaurants you order your food, then your side, then your drink. Think about it. How many times have you been to a fast food restaurant. Think about how you order…
MAIN COURSE. FRIES (unless you're at T-Bell). THEN YOUR DRINK. Without fail.
So I get to thinking about how many other rules and systems we follow. In reality, most of us fall into the entagling flow of the society we live in. For me, it was to finish high school. THEN go to college. THEN get a job. THEN get married. THEN have kids. THEN whatever. All whilst chasing the "American dream."
Please don't misunderstand. I love my country, I am proud to live here, and I am grateful beyond measure for the prices of freedom and liberty. But if you can ever escape this American bubble, you might catch a glimpse of a much bigger and different world. A world completely outside and oblivious to our goals, passions, and dreams we tend to idolize. In short, the world isn't about me, even though I think of it that way a lot of times.
There's a bigger picture, a bigger story out there. It's sad, but I think most of us miss it. We are so OBSESSED with our luxuries and our comforts that we have totally forgotten our purpose in life. We are created in the image of God for the sole purpose of serving Him. Let me say that again in case it didn't register:
WE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
"Oh you mean like the whole Adam and Eve thing." No. I mean God. We are made BY Him and in His likeness. I want that truth to sink in for you. Then, when you've pondered that, I want you to think about what it would look like, what you would change, if you truly lived desiring to be a worthy creation of His. Remember, this is GOD. Not a fairy tale character from some dusty old book, but a LIVING and LIFE GIVING and UNIVERSE CREATING, ALPHA and OMEGA EXISTING GOD. There's only one, and He made you in His image.
I came to that realization, at least it finally sank in, sometime during my later college years. I decided I couldn't submit myself to what the world expected of me. I want to be like Dave. Sticking it back in the status quo's face and saying, "I don't have to live by your rules, Status Quo!"
What this means for me, that is in this chapter of my life, is that I will be going on the World Race starting in September. It's an 11 month trip to 11 (or 13?) different countries where I will be doing various types of ministry work. It's going to be an incredible journey and growing experience for me. More importantly, it is an amazing opportunity to serve and tell others of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But before I get to do all of that, I have a goal I have to meet: raise $15,500 in financial support. So without beating around the bush, quite simply, I need your help. I would be so blessed and honored to have your support of prayer first and foremost. However, if you do feel led to also contribute to me financially, that would be a huge blessing as well. You can do that by going here: https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=For%20Conner%20McMakin
Thank you for reading, and thank you for considering being part of something bigger. Thanks for being a Dave.
-Conner
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep onself unstained from the world." James 1:27
