Ready to Launch
I
arrived in New Zealand just the other day after enduring a 13 hour plane trip
from Los Angeles. The country of New Zealand is full of beauty and I have yet
to see all of it. The people here called Kiwi’s are very friendly and I love
the culture, which thrives through the country. I am excited for what God has in store over the next month
here.
Our
first 5 days in New Zealand we attend what is called a “Launch” which is
basically a time of preparation for not only the ministry which we will do this
month but all year. It is located at a YWAM base in Matamata. So far it has
been a great time of fellowship and preparation for things we will be involved
with like preaching, teaching, and bringing the kingdom in what ever way’s God chooses
to use. I know my small team, (Team 91) will be doing ministry in a place of
New Zealand called Bay of Plenty.
The locals say it has some of the most amazing beaches in the country, I
will find out what kind of ministry we will be doing on Friday. I believe it will involve working with
kids because it is summer time here and there are many activities going on
which involve younger people. Whatever we do, pray I do it with joy and God is
glorified through it.
On
the bus ride to Matamate from Auckland I had two hours to do some soul
searching. Questions began to pop up in my mind like “what will I do with my
life when this World Race comes to an end?” It seems to be a resounding
question for most people who are on this world race mission trip. Being that I
am the oldest guy who is not married who is on this trip, I have done a few
more things career wise than some of the other people. To abandon all of that
for the sake of pursuing whatever God has next for me put’s me in an
uncomfortable position. I guess it’s time I learn to be comfortable with the
uncomfortable. Being in a
“comfortable” position in my short 28 years has gotten me nowhere when it comes
to the matters of God and eternity.
I think I’ve learned that God doesn’t dwell in the comfortable
situations or with the people who seek comfort outside of Him.
He
didn’t create us for a life of being ordinary and comfortable beyond all
measure to store up our bank accounts, to pride ourselves in the degree’s
hanging on our walls, to gaze at our accomplishments outside of Him and think
“This is the life.” I knew God and did all of those things I just listed and
thought this is what God had for me. To be happy, to have a nice Christian
family, to work a nice job, to go to church on Sundays, to one day retire and
look back only to say “I’ve lived a good life” A pastor once referred to this
kind of thinking in a very great illustration of someone walking on an Olympic
balance beam. He started to walk on it, and when he started to lose his balance
he got down and clung onto the balance beam with hands and feet wrapped tightly
around it. Then soon jumped off, stood tall and turned to his left and to his
right and put his hands in the air to the audience as you have seen most
Olympic athletes do when finished with their routine. He posed the question ”
Now what are the judges supposed to put down on the score card?” because you
didn’t do anything of real significance, how can they judge something like
that? That’s how I feel my life was looking back, clinging to comfort (the
balance beam) and thinking I was living life until I was awakened. I soon found
out there is a better life, the life God calls us to and has prepared for us to
live. The only question is are we
willing to give up our comfort and control to God and live in the
uncomfortable, take the kind of risks that where only God meeting you on the
other side of the risk could make it a happen. I have to admit I’ve started to do this, and I want more.
So
having said this without a doubt in my mind I am ready to Launch around the
world, into the unknown, into the uncomfortable, take leaps of faith and see
God work in and through me in ways I never could of imagined and may He get all
the glory, honor, and praise.
