I’ve talked a big talk for a long time.
About how the world needs us.
About the love of Christ.
About how possessions aren’t important.
About how we should serve people in need.
About how we should give our time, money, and talents to others.
About how I’m going to live RADICALLY in 2011.
Yeah… my talk has been pretty big. My walk? It’s been mediocre. It hasn’t lived up to my words. And for the last year, I’ve been doing a lot of praying and reading and thinking about how to fix that. And now I’m ready to share the answer.
In the last few years there have been so many things that the Lord has used to shape me and lead me here. My roommate and accountability partner. Finding an amazing church home here in Indy, and a smaller deep spiritual community within that church. Six months of not buying material things. A conference/weekend in California that confirmed very clearly in my heart that my life would be dedicated to ministry in some way or another. Those things, along with numerous other relationships, events and experiences have been preparing my heart. But let's fast forward to October 2010, when the trajectory of my life was forever changed.
In October I read the book “Radical” by David Platt. Our church read it as a body as we contemplated our “reach” outside of our personal circle. The book was challenging to say the least, never more so than when David Platt challenges his readers to just consider and pray about whether or not they were called to missions. He made it clear that the answer may be “no” but that it’s not up to us to decide the answer before we have seriously inquired of the Lord. I had considered missions before and never really felt as if I was “called.” In my mind I’d reserved it for the select few that are devout and equipped far beyond myself. And besides, my “mission field” was right here – in my job, in my church, in my community, in teaching, coaching and equipping others – I wasn’t actually “called” to go to the other side of the world to serve the Lord.
Right?
Even though I believed this to my core, I obliged and followed David Platt’s request. I prayed seriously and soberly. I reflected. I listened. And God answered. But the answer was one I never expected.
Well, you're reading this so you know the essence of what the answer was. At the time I didn't know where, when or how that answer would actually be put into action. I just knew that at some point I would live out the Great Commission somehwere else in the world – that I would spread the love of Christ and help bring justice to those in need far away. I didn't exactly think it would be so soon – but I am stoked for this opportunity to abandon my worldly possessions and traditional lifestyle to serve “the least of these” amongst real and raw community. My team and I will country hop around the world living out of a backpack and showing the love of Christ to orphans, prostitutes, the sick, communities who don’t know Jesus, and everyone in between. Our ministry will vary from place to place and include anything that could be a part of God’s kingdom work.
I am really excited about this next step in my adventure of life, and anxious to see how the Lord will work in the hearts of others as we serve and love on them, and no doubt how He will work in my own heart as I discover more about what it means to know Christ, the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, and become more like him in his death.
What have I already learned? That the Lord prepares you for things you may never imagine. That He doesn't always make it clear to His workers their assigment from an early age. That just because you don't "fit the mold" of a missionary or it's not your innate desire doesn't mean God won't call you. That sometimes He doesn't "call" until YOU ask. And that He will always meet you where you are in that calling.
I’m really excited to share this journey with you. As I know more and begin preparing I will most definitely post updates and provide you with more information. For now, if you're interested, you can click on the "support me" link on the left side of this web page.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I said that prayer 6 months ago. Heck, I still don’t. But I can’t wait to find out.
Peace & Love – R
