To Revive: To Return to Life
Revival: An instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.
I have had the unique experience of returning to the United States in the middle of my World Race. It wasn’t under the most favorable circumstances, but during my time at home, I couldn’t avoid noticing the vast differences between the United States and the countries I have visited in Asia and Africa. I have traveled to over a dozen countries before the World Race, and each place taught me about a new culture and a new way of life. The World Race, however, also opened my eyes to my culture and my way of life.
As I prepare to return to the mission field, I wish I could take you all back on the Race with me. Not so that you can learn how to travel well…although I think traveling is a life-giving opportunity that too few people take. I want to take you back with me. Not so that you could learn how to live without your closet, your car, and your prized possessions…although I think you’d learn the beauty of simplicity along the way and never be the same. I want to take you back with me. Not so that you can see all of the unique corners of this Earth…although I think you would learn the beauty of different cultures and realize that God’s design is truly spectacular. No, I want to take you with me so that we can start a revival HERE.
A Revival of Engagement
“We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what He did. We can applaud what He preached and stood for without caring about the same things. We can adore His cross without taking up ours.”
One of the first things that hit me when I landed on American soil: 99% of the time, I hate social media. (Let me preface this by saying that I am guilty of it too.) I hate what social media is doing to our relationships. I hate that we are “the generation that lacks empathy” because we have learned to hide behind our screens. I hate the cyber bullying that starts in our elementary schools. I hate the picture-perfect photos and the false identities that people project. I hate the “likes” and “shares” that we wait for and the jealousy that flows from wanting to have someone else’s picture-perfect life.
We can use screens to separate ourselves from pain and hurt, and we can “post” our support without lifting a finger or spending a dime. Don’t get me wrong, awareness is important. But what does awareness get us if it doesn’t lead to action? I want to see a revival of engagement. Of connection. Of interaction. With friends, with family, with spouses, with co-workers, and with strangers. In politics, in churches, in schools, and in homes. We can look the other way or sit back when our friends our suffering, when our jobs aren’t interesting anymore, when we don’t understand diversity. Or we can jump in with both feet and engage in learning, in caring for one another, and in doing the hard work of showing up.
A Revival of Community
“We can easily become so driven by our vision for church growth, community, or social justice that we forget the little things, like caring for those around us.”
When I got home from training camp, I wrote about my N squad and how fast they became like family to me. When I went back to the United States to get treated last month, my squad prayed for me. Every day. All over Swaziland. Because they are my family. They are my church. These people know my past, and they know my dreams. They have laughed with me and cried with me and prayed over me.
You may be thinking: What a special group of people you have beside you. And you’re right. I am forever changed by these people. But let me ask you this: Why does this have to be such a rare thing? I know my N squad is not the only group of 60 people that are living for Christ and desire to be the Church. So why don’t we act like it? I want a revival of community. A community that knows their neighbors, that meets each other’s needs, that prays for one another.
A Revival of Miracles
“We have insulated ourselves from miracles. We no longer live with such reckless faith that we need them.”
Confession: I lacked faith in miracles before the Race. I would pray boldly, but I had five back-up plans if it didn’t work out. I would ask, but I’d be sure I could provide for myself if it didn’t show up. I read this quote from Francis Chan and it got me thinking. He said, “But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”
Fast forward six months. My squad has seen miracles happen on the Race. We’ve seen supernatural healing. We’ve seen fundraising deadlines met. We’ve seen divine appointments with strangers. I want to see a revival of miracles. By pushing into the uncomfortable. Through reckless generosity. By praying boldly and taking risks. And watching God show up in big ways.
I’m praying for revival.
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Life Update: The doctors have cleared me to go back on the mission field! I will be heading to South America in a week and rejoining my team in Argentina!
I need your help to get there! I am raising money for my flight to return to the field as well as covering the cost of some of the medical expenses I incurred while being treated overseas and in the United States. You can support me by visiting my GoFundMe page here: Danielle’s Return to Mission Field
Prayer Requests:
Continued healing and energy
A smooth transition back to the mission field
