Interesting title, huh? Mike Wasowski was the name of my 2004 Jeep Liberty. He was a really cute vehicle. (Yes, he was named after the monster from the movie Monsters Inc. And yes, my cat Zazu is named after the bird on the Lion King. And yes, my children will most likely be named Sebastian, Belle, and Captain Smee).
So why am I saying goodbye to this awesome car that has been totally reliable, moved with me several times and I've been working so hard to obtain ownership over?
The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
-Matthew 13:44
I came to a place where I was faced with the decision of whether to sell my car or not. It seemed logical; I need money for my mission trip, so sell the car that I won't be driving for a year. But it also made sense to be secure and have a vehicle to drive when I came home. I most likely will be broke and need to drive my car to and from work (wherever that is after the race). But logic and brains isn't what God is about. Which is really lucky for me. Because I tend to not think things through.
So after struggling to see what God's stand was on the issue, He told me to sell my car. This parable about the hidden treasure kept popping up in my head. The Kingdom of God is what I will be living for next year and the rest of my life. It's what I want in my life right NOW. It's all that matters. So to truly treasure this amazing gift of God, the Gospel and Heaven, I need to give up everything to attain it. In terms of money, the most expensive thing that I own is my car. So… it's kind of a no-brainer that it has to go bye-bye. It's only a car. It's a thing. It doesn't matter at all. The only thing that matters is Jesus.
And in case you're wondering, selling my car wasn't totally easy, and I needed God and a few wise men to help me (my dad and Aaron). But like always, if God calls me to do something, He provides. He poured out generous funds and the perfect buyer all in HIS perfect timing.
People think I'm totally crazy. I can tell when their eyes glaze over and they force smiles and head nods. Or when they boldly ask, "what are you going to do when you get back without a car?" or "you're seriously going to live out of a backpack for a year?" The truth of the matter is that I am a little crazy. I'm crazy about Jesus. There is absolutely nothing normal about this mission trip. According to human standards, there is nothing that makes sense about selling my possessions, leaving my comforts, risking my safety and surrendering all I have to God. Totally abnormal. And honestly, I'm so happy to be going crazy right now.
I leave for launch in less than three weeks! Bring on the abnormal, crazy, reckless, abandonment and glory. All for HIS Kingdom.
