Proverbs 4:7 “…Though it cost you everything, gain understanding.” I came across this verse while reading one morning this past week.
Through a series of circumstances we were given the opportunity to take about a week off and travel to Vienna, Austria and Prague, Czech Republic. At first I struggled with the idea of taking time off because after all, this is called the world RACE, right? Race, I’ve come to realize, is a very deceiving description of this year because we are reminding one another frequently that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s an entire year of our lives, not a one-week mission trip.
I was struck by this verse because it occurred to me that yes, this year did force us to leave the life that we knew, and through that abandonment we are gaining understanding of cultures all over the globe. By the time our race finishes, we will have spent time on four continents, approximately 13 countries, and countless cities. We have met their people. We have eaten their food. We have attended their churches, their weddings, and even their funerals. We have experienced some small portion of the life that so many diverse people live. I hadn’t really considered all of this until recently, but I’m thankful for yet another lesson learned. Being immersed in everything foreign this long has certainly made me truly appreciative of my American inheritance, however it will be impossible for me to return and disregard all that I have seen and been exposed to. My hope is that through this year of learning, seeing, experiencing, and ultimately understanding, I will now view the world with a global eye.
So yes, we were given the gift of personal time. We had the ability to spend a few days exploring and being tourists. I have learned, though, being a missionary is a lifestyle, not a vocation. It’s not a 9-5 or even an 11 month commitment, but rather it’s a steadfast devotion to living a life worthy of the gospel.
Our team in Prague!
View from Charles Bridge
John Michael and me at dinner!
