“Much is required from those whom much is given, and much more is required from those whom much more is given.” – Luke 12:48
Oh my goodness! What in the heck have I gotten myself into?! I tell ya, there ain’t gonna be no getting away from this now. If I try, God will hunt me down til I finally give away everything He’s given me over this past year. I call it my “burden of knowledge.” And that’s exactly what has to be given away – knowledge. And this knowledge came from several months of traveling the world – from seeing God’s kingdom in South America, Africa and Asia. Nine countries in all!
The Lord has “given” me the knowledge that children in Africa really are starving to death and dying of AIDS. Now God has “required” me to give this to you!
God showed me the beauty of the hearts of the people who follow Him. And they follow Him no matter how little they got. And folks let me tell ya, these people got nothing. BUT for them – Christ is enough.
God showed me He answers prayers for those who cry out to Him. Our team, and more importantly the few local Christians in Thailand, prayed that this government building in a remote village would be used for young men and women to worship and learn about Jesus. Remember, this is a Buddhist nation. But depsite that fact, God heard those prayers and looks like a Bible school could open here next summer. Glory to God!!
God has “given” me the knowledge that people really do live in refugee camps. Wado has never experienced freedom and he can’t go home to Burma because it’s government slaughters Christians.
I’ve been “given” the knowledge that 3 million people live in utter freaking hell in the slums of Manila. Yet, poverty can’t keep the Lord from turning their hearts to Him.
My heavenly Father has “given” me the chance to meet wonderful Americans around the world who have left everything to pursue the plan God has for their lives.
Ray in Thailand!
Tommy in Mindanao, Philippines.
World Racers in China.
And speaking of China, God gave me the knowledge that this is a place on fire with passionate Christians. But since it’s a communist country I can’t show them to you.
Now, I have in no way un-burdened myself by sharing this TINY little portion of everything I’ve seen these past several months. This goes so much deeper than just telling stories at Christmas, or writing cute blogs or talking at churches. For me, “Much is required from those whom much is given” is gonna be more about a way of life. It’s gonna be more about awakening a generation to it’s calling, or setting the captives free, or showing people there is a better way. How’s that gonna look for me, I have no idea. But I promise you my friends, a way of life awaits us all that is fully alive. Christ came to give life and give it abundantly. (John 10:10) We need to grab a hold of that.
This year for me was hardly the “it” in my life. It wasn’t “it.” This season of my life was just a piece of the foundation Christ is pouring in my heart, soul and mind. He’s placed an incredible task in front of me. And the thing is, I don’t really see it as a burden – it’s more of a privelege.
