I write today with a heavy heart and a sense of urgency. Time is short, and opportunities are limited. A few weeks ago, I had my routine down flawlessly...get up, quiet time, work, internship, gym, errands, bible study/ small group, World Race prep, sleep etc. etc....repeat. Enter God. I was minding my own business, honestly. But then a message began burning into my heart. A small flame, only a faint smell of smoke really, that began to smolder and burn until a fire was raging...and the damage... well, it was basically irreparable. . Because I realized that I wasn't measuring up. I wasn't living a life "worthy of the gospel." I am an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). But who/what am I representing, really? What mission am I on? (am I on a mission?) In terms of the World Race, I am learning one thing for sure: No magical transformation is going to happen when I hop on a plane this July. Getting on a plane doesn't make me a missionary. Which means I must be a missionary right here, right now. Today. If I plan to give my life to being an ambassador of the Gospel, to pour out my life and my energy and my time and my resources to love and serve every person I encounter next year so that they will know the truth of Jesus Christ, the one who suffered and died to pay their debts and give them life, don't I have that same obligation to the people in my life at this very moment? "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) What is the mindset of Christ? He was the greatest missionary there was. He poured out His life to love and serve every person around Him, all for the glory of His father.He knew what mattered, and He gave His life for it. He never wasted an opportunity to share truth with those around Him, whether that be while spending time with His inner circle of disciples, or as He was sitting in exhaustion after a long journey and encounters a Samaritan woman at a well. (John 4:6) What really matters to me? I've come to the conclusion that it is not enough to love people and do good in the world. ...because I have the cure. I have the only source of water in the desert. During this outpouring of truth and fire in my heart, the Lord began to lay on my heart a heavy thought: If I had the cure to cancer, the cure to AIDS, the cure to any of the world's greatest ills...how inconceivable would it be for me to withhold that from all those suffering?? It is unimaginable. But the thing is...I have the cure to the eternal wages of death. I know the truth. I have the secret to freedom....And I withhold it way too often. When I think about this, my heart is overcome, but also thankful for a Father who is full of grace and understands that I am merely a sheep who needs a WHOLE lot of guidance most of the time. The time is not tomorrow. It is not when you leave for the "mission field." It is not when you finish school and get to "start the rest of your life." It is not just when you feel like it. It is right now. It is today. It is this moment. It is that person sitting next to you on a plane. It is that friend you've known for years. Make the most of it (Ephesians 5:16). I would venture to say that we miss divine appointments all the time...because I'm pretty sure there is never a time when God would tell us to hold back the truth of what we know. I'm also pretty sure that He does nothing and puts no one in our path without a purpose. If our days are meaningless and purposeless, if we are wandering blindly without any mission or any goal, we are neglecting our duties as an ambassador. He is ALWAYS ready to use us. He has an adventure for you every day. Don't miss it!! "We face a humanity that is too precious to neglect. We know a remedy for the ills of the world too wonderful to withhold. We have a Christ too glorious to hide. We have an adventure that is too thrilling to miss." -Theodore Williams I love you all- Courtney T-Shirts, T-Shirts, T-Shirts!!!- Go to this link to see the design and fill out a form to order a specially designed World Race tee that will make you look super trendy and stylish, and is also be a great, relatively inexpensive way to help support Meagan & I as we embark on this journey (we can ship them too!!) Only a short time left to pre-order!! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YRHZYCC **If I can ask one more thing of you, my dear friends and supporters, would you consider praying about sharing my journey or blog with someone that you know who has a heart to support missions? (see the "Tell a Friend" link on the left) Would you consider praying about sharing or potentially letting me share with your small group, bible study, or church family about this journey I am going on? I also want you to know that I cannot do this without any of you. You are making this possible! I am nearly to my second goal in fundraising- and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful and humbled I am by your giving and your prayers and encouragement! Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it...but THANK YOU for your faithfulness!! Every dollar is making a difference!!**
