“…Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
On the day of Pentecost, Peter said it best. “What shall we do?” The Apostles had lost their teacher who walked with them side by side. Though left with the Holy Spirit, one can assume this would be a pretty big change to listen to the Spirit rather than to one who physically walked alongside.
I have found myself asking the same question lately. No, I never physically walked with Jesus. However being blessed with the community, ministry and set aside time to pursue the Lord, it certainly has felt like I had an advantage of being able to pursue God better than what I did at home with the easy distractions.
When I assess the lifestyle I have lived on the race vs what I left nine months ago, I know I need to take action and start redefining what my values at home will be. Already I know this will be challenging, as I am losing so much of what made serving so easy. It’s going to be hard to not go back to the old me. Nine months ago I didn’t live with a servant heart. I didn’t ask if I was loving my neighbors as I do myself. I wasn’t convicted of whether I was serving “the least of these.” Now, these are norms that I refuse to give up.
Going home, I know my new purpose. To love God and his people. To share the Gospel. To carry the spirit of joy he tells me to use every day. That being said, I need to ask myself what can I change from my old life to serve better at home. Immediately I recognize I need to change my priorities. I know I am quick to choose TV or to splurge on a coffee rather than choosing to find time or money to give to others. I need to change the fact that I was “slow to commit to serving God and his people,” (Francis Chan, Crazy Love) before I left,but I am ready to redefine that part of me.
Where does this leave me? Should I sell all my clothes and donate the money to charity? Perhaps. Skip college and live as a missionary for the rest of my life? Maybe. As I talk more with God, I know he will place those desires in my heart if that’s where he wants me. Right now though, I find my reality being more to take the small things I learned on my Race and apply them. I must commit to “putting myself in situations that scare me and require God to come through,” (Chan).
For example, in South Africa I have nothing to lose asking the checkout lady if she needs prayer, I’ll never see her again if she says no. In the quaint town of Cedarburg, everyone knows everyone, making this action slightly more intimidating. However I am stepping out in faith today and saying this spirit of fear will no longer stop me from living like this. “True faith means holding nothing back!” (Chan).
I can also ask God to take me places where His people need to know He loves them. Maybe this means making time to go to the big city of Milwaukee and evangelizing in the streets. Or perhaps this looks like spending time with my neighbors, asking if there’s any service they need, just because God loves them. Or maybe it’s just putting away the dishes. Regardless, I know I need to be intentional and deliberate as I pursue God if I plan on keeping this life.
Taking these norms back to America will be challenging, especially living in a city where poverty isn’t right in your face every day making it easy to forget. As I change my affluent life, I challenge you to do the same with me! Step out in your faith as I will be doing, and live radically as Jesus calls us to. No, I’m not saying you need to sell your house for charity either, but there is value in taking time to talk to people and spread a little love. There’s value in giving your extra coins to the lemonade stand on the corner. There’s value in “seeking first the kingdom of God,” before running off to our own needs. You will be blessed, trust me!
“The way we live our days is the way we will live our lives,” Annie Dillard. Start by changing your day to day, and your life will come with it.
