That line and moment from The Wizard of Oz perfectly captures my current feelings and thoughts. Just like Dorothy, I am staring out at a world and place that, while oddly familiar, is completely new, intriguing and scary. Both of us gaze around at the new scenery and somewhat fearfully move forward towards the journey ahead, which we know must be taken if we are to progress. This path will involve new faces, new rules and new challenges, but I believe that just as Dorothy did in the movie, I will emerge from it a stronger, bolder and more mature woman with a new perspective and appreciation for things.
There was thankfully no tornado involved in my story; no one drastic experience which forced me into a new place. In fact, my surroundings have not really changed at all lately, but my perspective most definitely has, and there are things which now look completely different to me as a result of this shift. My views on everything from missions to goals/purpose to the American church and the church body as a whole are rapidly being transformed. I can’t think of a better intro for this post than to share this short video clip, referencing several lines from David Platt’s book titled Radical:
I’ve believed in God for quite some time. My parents, who are both Christians, raised me up in a Southern Baptist church (which I am forever grateful for) and I first accepted Christ at the young age of 7. However, it was not until many years later that I fully began to understand what a relationship with Christ really meant for me personally. I continue to learn more with each passing year, and have recently begun to more deeply reevaluate what it is to live as a believer in this present day. One key thing that God has used to initiate change in me has been His Word. Though it almost sounds too obvious or simple, I am now convinced of the absolute power and necessity of reading and studying the Bible for one’s own self. We in America have the privilege of hearing God’s Word preached and taught in a plethora of ways: churches, podcasts, videos, books, seminars, conferences and so on. These are all fantastic and I utilize many of these tools in my own daily life as it is a seamless way to stay mindful of God and learn more of His will and His ways. However, there is something to be said for studying the Bible on your own, in addition to the other outlets available. There are multitudes of verses on the benefit of reading and keeping God’s Word, with just a few of those listed here: Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8, Hebrews 4:12, John 8:31-32.
I don’t think most people who believe in God would disagree that reading His Word is a good thing, and something that is encouraged repeatedly throughout the scriptures. However, it can be harder to fully understand the benefits/differences in reading it for yourself versus only hearing or reading it while at church or in a group setting. No matter which church you go to or which preacher you have, people are still imperfect. As such, sometimes verses can be taken out of context to make a specific point or others omitted as they are not understood, or not very popular/empowering. Often without even knowing it, we tend to break the Bible up into tiny fragments of a few verses here and there while frequently changing the entire meaning/intent of the verse because of the parts left out. We love to quote the feel good verses such as Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:13, Luke 11:9 and Romans 8:28 as they seem to offer hope and promises for us currently. However, when you read the full chapter (and book for that matter), a very different picture begins to form, and we find just how easy it is to distort God’s word without even having full knowledge. What about the very difficult-to-swallow verses where God commands men to destroy entire nations, including women and children, as in the case of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15? This is where we are challenged to further read and study to understand the lesson God is trying to show instead of simply skipping over because we don’t understand or agree. There are even things that I once would have sworn were in the Bible as that was what I was told, but later found out were not….no whale swallowing Jonah nor three wise men who visited baby Jesus (let alone on the actual date of his birth). Some of these misconceptions or speculations seem innocent, and may very well be. However, if we are charged with spreading the good news of God and His Word to the rest of the world and don’t truly know it for ourselves, things can get messy. There are many verses which also warn us to be on guard against false teachers, but how will we really know what is false if we do not first know what God truly says in the Bible?
The main reason I decided to pursue this mission trip now is because I started reading the Bible for myself and what I have been finding is rocking my world! In the American church, I have always been taught that God is always watching out for us as believers and that He has our best interests at heart. I believed that following God meant saying the sinner’s prayer (another sketchy Biblical topic) and then trying to be a good person while God offered me unending forgiveness and strength to go and prosper, and be happy. Now I see that many of those concepts are not entirely Biblical, and that I have allowed my own cultural background and the teachings of others to shape my view of God and His will rather than just go directly to the source. The world speaks of God’s desire for you to be happy and blessed as you work towards your personal goals and on being a good partner/parent/sibling. While none of these are bad things in and of themselves, the Biblical view of God’s desire and will seems strikingly different at times.
“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.”
– Francis Chan
The Bible speaks about the many trials that we as believers are called to endure to further God’s Kingdom and of the giving up of personal goals and yes, even family (if God calls for that), to pursue His goals. The New Testament contains verse after verse about suffering and sacrifices that are present when one fully pursues God. I know many will read this and feel uncomfortable as it sounds like I am saying it is all doom and gloom, and self-righteous sacrifice. Far from it! As true believers, we have an all-powerful and loving Father that we get to spend eternity with, and there are many rewards and blessings promised for such people. However, many of these rewards come after our physical death. Even when God does choose to bless us financially (and otherwise) on Earth, it is always for His own glory and never for our own. We like to reflect on the loving, forgiving Father who is there to wipe away our tears, but not on the wrathful Judge who demands worship and obedience. Yes, God does love us, so much more than we can even comprehend, but He also wants us to be about His business and purpose, not our own. Two men approached Jesus in the Bible asking for what seemed like a reasonable delay before following Him, one wishing to bury his father first and another wishing to say goodbye to his family before leaving. Jesus’ reply shows us the urgency and value God places on His mission and the expectation that we do the same, even above good things at times (Luke 9:59-62).
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
– Jim Elliot
Even with my long posts, it is beyond difficult to put into writing what all God is revealing through His Word and His Word alone, but I so desperately want to try to as it changes everything. There is a reason most of us, especially believers, often question our purpose in life and feel somewhat unsettled and unsatisfied by the life that is seemingly laid out for us. Work long hours, save up money for retirement, go on some vacations, attend a fun event, spend time with family and repeat. Again, nothing is inherently wrong with any of those things, but there is so much more to this life, and deep down, I think all believers sense this! We are here for a purpose and that purpose revolves around loving and caring for others and sharing God’s Word. Matthew 22: 36-40 states “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied:’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
“Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.”
– Francis Chan
I firmly believe that you can do many of things I listed above such as saving up and having vacations and still follow God and His will for your life. It’s not about denying yourself to earn anything from God or others, as we know this is futile. It’s about a heart and perspective change where your priorities shift towards helping others, and using your skills and position to further God’s Kingdom. How that looks for each of us is going to be different. Some are called to make money and use that money to help serve others. Some are called to move overseas and witness to unreached people groups. Some are called to serve the poor in their local community or raise up awareness for needs. Only God can specifically show you how to use your gifts and life for His Kingdom, but the fact that He wants and expects us all to do so in some capacity is undeniable. So, don’t wait on some devastating “tornado” to come along and force change…start looking around at the world before you with newly opened eyes. Yes, the road ahead will be filled with uncertainty and fear, but isn’t it that way already? The best part about this journey is that paradise awaits you at the end…and the trio accompanying you greatly trumps a cowardly lion, heartless tin man and ignorant scarecrow 😉
