There is something more to life that what we see directly around ourselves. There is more to life than the things that so easily preoccupy us. Whether it is a job, a relationship, the pursuit of achievements, seeking a comfortable lifestyle, these things ultimately lead to an empty self-centeredness.
I spent this last week visiting my brother in Los Angeles. I was invited to speak with the Junior High, High School, and young adult groups. I really felt a strong connection with the young adult group, “The Movement”. The group mostly consists of college age to 30-ish year olds. And they are at a place in life when they are making major decisions as to where they want their lives to go.
I spoke with several of the people who are in a place where they have gained some life experience. Several of them are married and are working, and have been living that lifestyle for several years. Although their lives are good, they can see that there seems to be something lacking. This is a group of believers who have been living a life that is pretty common to people just out of college. But yet there remains something hidden underneath the surface, something that is nudging them. They can feel it.
The opportunity to step out in faith beckons to them. But there are so many obstacles in the way. Legitimate questions, such as, “What do we do with our house?” or “How will we pay the bills?” stand looming overhead. I do not discount the fact that those are very real and very scary questions. But should something like that really hold you back from following your dream? Will those obstacles deny you the ability to follow after God’s beckoning in your life?
I just got back from meeting a friend of mine at a coffee shop. We were talking about how people know that there is something more, yet often never go find out what it is. He told me the story of someone close to him who was receiving very clear signs from God that he was supposed to go Fiji with his wife. Repeatedly God put very obvious signs that they should go. They were convicted to go, they were talking about going, but all the “what-ifs” muddled the whole thing. They never went. Instead, they dedicated their lives to buying the next new car, or having the coolest new toy. Although God has still used them in some capacity where they are at, their lives are so self-centered that it is essentially choking them. It is not leading them to a fulfilling life. They are lacking a purpose that is bigger than themselves. We commented about how sad of a story that really is, even though it is probably more common than I could imagine.
Not every one is in a place where they could do something like the World Race. A year is a long time and a big commitment. But there are ways to step out in faith, to put your life in a position to trust God. Maybe this means spending a week in Mexico, living with and investing in the lives of the locals. Maybe it is getting to know people at a homeless shelter. What is God prompting you to do? Through it, you begin to taste and see that God designs us for a bigger purpose than just satisfying our desire to be comfortable. But through serving others, as Jesus came to do, we are able to see that life is a lot bigger than the world immediately around us.
