As you’ve probably figured out by now, I love to travel. I especially love to travel when it takes me to close friends. This past weekend, I was visiting one of my closest friends who just recently moved to an area just outside Boston.
Saturday, we took a cab into the city to explore. As we got in, we immediately noticed that the cab driver was a chatty Kathy (as many are. Personally, I love when this happens. You never know what stories you will hear by listening to strangers talk about their lives.)
The cab driver begins to talk to us about the life he left behind in Haiti. The poverty that his family faces, that make him look like a rich man. His tired eyes frequently drifted to the rearview mirror and met with mine as he told us stories of threatening taxi passengers, learning from his father, and shopping with his wife.
Of everything he said, one thing really stuck out:
“Never forget to help other people. Never forget where you came from.”
Of course, he was talking about helping his family in Haiti financially. But what he said struck a deeper root in me. It reminded me of this verse
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10
For me, it isn’t so much where I come from, but from whom. God created me. I come from Him. And he created me with the purpose of loving his creation, glorifying his name, and doing good works. For helping others.
90% of the time, I am beyond ecstatic to be going on the World Race. I think about it all the time, read blogs, watch videos, and revel in the fact that this is ACTUALLY reality for me. 11 months full of ministry, missions, and adventure truly embodies the dream that the Lord has placed in me.
However, every once in a while, and especially these last few days, I’ve been less psyched. Visiting my friend, seeing her start a life. Spending time with my family. Settling into my two jobs. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about everything I’m leaving behind, and what I’m truly giving up: stability, the independence of creating my daily schedule, the comfort of HAVING a daily schedule, going out to eat with friends, playing Settlers of Catan with my family…the opportunity to get a dog (As silly as that sounds, I’m 100% serious) and live in my own space. I’m leaving behind comfort and stability for the unknown and definitely uncomfortable.
Our cab driver so easily reminded me that God’s purpose for me, for us, on this Earth is not to live comfortably or seek stability. I truly believe that leaving your comfort zone, growing in Christ, and spreading the Gospel is more than possible in the United States. I see it in my life, in my friendships and my family. But following Jesus rarely leaves no room for what our culture deems comfort.
In this season, leaving my comfort zone means the World Race. Lord, help me to welcome and embrace the instability that comes with it. My bigger hope for myself, and for others, is that no matter where we are, that we never forget to help others. And that we never forget where we came from. That we never get so comfortable in our own lives that we forget.
