I do not think I am all that unique. If you found yourself looking at the “writing on the wall” regarding your life and the direction you saw things taking was uncomfortable wouldn't you work to manage the outcome and mitigate the impact? I think you would and so did I.
Plodding along, enjoying the success of the American Dream (educated, gainfully employed, a homeowner, etc.) life was mostly good. I mean, I have a pretty nice gig going minus the part of a quiet ache for something more.
I was even addressing the ache the right way. Exploring the Source, seeking wise counsel and working to be attentive to when my heart would race and my throat would get tight…
I gasped. “What took you so long!” a victim of human trafficking screamed at the speaker. The speaker was trying to infuse the hope of a God who loved the victim and the victim wanted to know what delayed the speaker in bringing this message to her. Where was the hope when she and 60 other girls were loaded into a container ship with no food, water or means to manage their excrement? Half died, the other half lived to continue into a life of present day slavery. Certain I had not taken a breath until the entire story was told, I slowly exhaled; my heart was pounding.
When I began to clue into the common denominator of my ache reducing efforts I tried very hard to ignore the conclusion. Thankfully, my Savior knows me well. He waited patiently as I went through “my process”. I turn decisions over in my head for a long time before I make them. I gather facts, I sit with things and ponder. I add up the pro’s, subtract out the cons, weight and re-weight the outcomes and then, I act.
Alas, when your hearts desire and your quiet prayer is to surrender and be obedient, Jesus, inevitably, will appear center stage and ask you to cast the lead in the play of your life.
Looking on there was little evidence of overt bondage: comfortable, secure, ample with provision, reliable in structure, free to move about – to learn, to experience. Arguably one would more readily identify an abundance of blessings; not limitations or constraint. However, in the deepest silence, a concession was made, blessing bore the marks of a chain. Straining against the noise of accolades for favorable, safe decisions and fear of perceived or certain failure permission was sought, granted and a charge accepted. Come out from all you have been given and prepare to be blessed with something more. Follow me.
Jumping the tracks for me is acknowledging that the “American” dream is good but prioritizing the desire for “Kingdom” dreams is great. This is my hour to set aside all that is known and thus comfortable: success in my chosen profession, a growing 401(k), the love and affection of family nearby, a darling loft, trusty little car, and frequent visits with friends close and far that make my life rich. To embrace a season of “less” and experience exponentially more.
What is more? Standing in the brokenness of the world offering a single, powerful solution: the name of Jesus the Christ.
