The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
I live full.
Full schedule.
Full non stop activities.
Full speed ahead.
Focus is spread thing, and while I can manage to give people my attention in the moment (at times), I’m constantly thinking and preparing for the next thing on the list. Because heck, life is short and there’s only one of me to go around. I’ll sleep when I’m dead because this full life is demanding and I need to use it wisely.
right?…
School, people, working out, eating, driving, social media, its time consuming. Go, go, go, go. And YES, don’t worry, I do take time off. You know, an movie here, a quick quiet time, a 5 minute coffee break. And such is life.
But then,
God took me to Zambia for a month and put my ‘full’ life on hold. He sent me to a country where the term ‘schedule’ is truly a foreign concept. Where time isn’t money but valued. Where people aren’t always staring at their smart phones. Where 1:00 pm means 2:00 pm. Where dinner isn’t served until 10 at night….
And He asked me,
“To embrace what He’s called me to do and let all else fade away.”
I don’t serve a God who has called me to live a full packed life.
I serve One who came to give me life to the absolute full.
I know it’s a different culture, I know it’s a different than the US. I understand people have to work to survive. That life is busy and demanding. But I can’t help but think that God wanted me to sweetly remember that today is the gift I have. To value each contact with people. And to walk in freedom of time. We spent our month building relationships with two colleges in the town, knocking on dorm rooms and talking to students about who this Jesus guy is. We spent time in orphanages, holding kids with stains on their clothes, missing teeth and no hair. We spent time with widows who don’t have shoes, get one meal a day, and were overwhelmed that we would come visit them. And I spent time in worship and stillness. A lot of time. And I learned it wasn’t time wasted. But perspective gained and fulfilling.
let it fade away…
We head to Malawi today to live in the bush. I’m excited for month 2 of this adventure…and seriously, its been an adventure. Haven’t eaten caterpillars yet, but that’s sure to come. Wish I could see you all!
