Isn’t learning such a cool thing? We learn everyday through new experiences and new people we meet. I always thought that learning only happened in school, but what I am quickly realizing is that it happens everyday. In the store, at work, while traveling, in a different country, from yourself and from God.
You may think that this World Race thing is one big vacation, but let me tell you it is not a vacation. While, yes I do get to travel to other countries and experience new foods, people, languages and cultures. Its not only that, but this is my life for a whole year, not for a two week mission trip or vacation but, ONE YEAR.
Yes, I love to travel, and yes I love God. Yet, this year is like any other year, I have a job to do and that job is ministry. I don’t want to see ministry as a job because sometimes a job can become a burden or something unenjoyable. Yet, ministry is a job. It is a daily life to live where we love on the people that are put in front of us. Its a constant pursuant of the hearts of the people around us, not only to pursue them but to love others like Jesus does.
I recently read this book last month that talked a lot about being a missionary where we are. The term missionary seems like a large and intimidating word, which it is if you look at it the way the World sees it. The way God sees it is through the eyes of how he loves us, through loving people and meeting them where they are at. Missions is about relationship paired with intentionality, and then once you have create a relationship then you can share the Good News. Isn’t that hard to think about? Yeah it is for me too, because I want to share the Good News now and I want to be efficient with my time. In Joining Jesus on His Mission by Greg Finke, he writes, “In the U.S. we value efficiency over relationship. In the Gospels, Jesus values relationship over efficiency.”
Now ponder that, ask yourself are you trying to be efficient or are you trying to really know someone? Because I have to ask myself that everyday. I am a busy person who likes to be talking to everyone and doing 100 activities a day. Yes, that can be good because I am gifted with an outgoing personality, but if I am trying to be efficient and lose sight of my intimate relationships with family, friends and the people I meet everyday than I lost sight of who Jesus is.
Bolivia has already taught me how to slow down and be intentional, look at the person next to you and ask them how they’re doing or try to speak in their language, maybe even a smile can brighten a persons day. I dont know about you, but if I can love someone well or brighten someone’s day then it is a good day. This year is teaching me that my World Race never stops, my World Race is going to continue when I get back home to the States. Life is a constant journey of striving to be more like Jesus and loving others well.
Something I want to leave you all with is a quote that tugs at my heart every time. It says “You just never know, but God does” (Greg Finke).
Book reference:
Joining Jesus on His Mission: How to Be an Everyday Missionary by Greg Finke
