I have been asked the question repeatedly, “Why are you doing this race? Why would you leave your home for a year to do this?” A very simple explanation: Because Jesus left His home in pursuit of me.
In her book, “Anything” Jennie Allen put it best…
“I started craving . . . a reckless faith, a faith where I knew God was real because I needed him, a faith where I lived surrendered, obedient, a faith where I sacrificed something . . . comfort or safety or practicality . . . something.”
There are moments with God, where if you let Him, He will ruin you. That place, that moment for me was at Stars Academy in Kolkata, India on December 9, 2011.
As I stared into those big brown eyes, I heard God say, “Speak life over him.”
“But Lord, he doesn’t understand me.”
“Yes he does, and YES I do.”
I paused. I waited. I moved.
“Okay.”
I held my little prince, and began to whisper, “You’re a good boy, and Jesus loves and wants you. God has a great purpose for you. I love you, God loves you. You are a man of great destiny…”
You see, my prince was an orphan, and not the kind of orphan you pity because his family died. He’s the orphan that is alone because the people who were supposed to love him, decided they didn’t want him. His pain went beyond pity. His pain makes you angry. Or at least it made me angry. The more life I spoke over this little 9 year old boy, the tighter he held on to me. As our embrace and my prayer came to an end, I pulled away to look into those brown eyes again, and I heard words that a few days prior were as foreign to me as I was to that nation.
“Ami tumake balo bashi Auntie.” (Auntie, I love you.)
That was the moment, that was it! Where my obedience to the voice of God was met with the treasure of His true purpose. To love the broken.
I left India different. I came back to my big office job, different. I lost everything, and was glad for the freedom. I was different.
Over the past 7 months, I have held orphans, prayed over the sick. I’ve helped build churches, cleaned churches, feared for my life, and had the time of my life. I have seen terrible, and beautiful things. I’ve seen the wonders of God, and I’ve seen places and wondered where God was. I’ve seen this because of one single moment of obedience there in India.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t enjoy getting yelled at in foreign languages. Nor do I enjoy food that used to be a pet. I’m not a fan of cramped bus rides, sweating in the shade or not having running water. I hate going to the bathroom outside. I don’t relish being uncomfortable.
But I do LOVE knowing I’m right where God wants me, doing exactly what He’s created me to do, love the broken, and share His love with them. I only love well, because He taught me how.
My question to you is this: “If we believe this life is temporary, shouldn’t that belief alone change how we live it?”
Through comfort or discomfort, anything surrendered to God is NEVER wasted. I’m living proof of that. The truth is, I don’t deserve to be here, (and that in no way is false humility, that’s honesty) but when it comes to Jesus, if He’s willing, so am I!
Again, thank you all for your generosity in giving of your time and prayers and for your financial support. We are almost there. Less than 20% left to raise. If you’d like to partner with me, just email me at [email protected] and I’ll tell you how. You all are incredible. and together with Jesus we’re changing the world!
