Over the last couple of months, I have come to the realization that the World Race is just the beginning of my involvement in missions. This is both an exciting and terrifying realization. Now, I’m not saying I will for sure become a full-time missionary in some foreign country. I am, however, saying that whatever I do, it will involve bringing the Gospel to people. I don’t know what that will look like yet, but I do know I will never be able to live a “normal” American life. God has placed in my heart a desire to share His love with people that don’t know Him.
I have a little more than two weeks left here in Johannesburg before I travel to Cape Town for final debrief, and then home! I can’t believe my nine months on the Race are almost over! It has been a truly amazing experience, and it has certainly changed my life forever. The most important thing I have learned is that the Lord is the same everywhere. No matter where I go, I can turn to the Lord. Whether I am here in South Africa, home in the US, or anywhere else, God doesn’t change. His call on me doesn’t change. And most importantly, His love for me never changes.
This past week during ministry, I met a man named Patrick. Patrick was already a Christian, which was awesome. He had some awesome questions about a man he knew. The man was stealing things, and then selling them. Patrick wondered how he should deal with this. In other words, was he allowed to get mad and call the man out? I wasn’t sure how to answer, but I felt like I needed to tell Patrick about God’s love for us, and the love we should have for others. Everybody knows John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” But the next verses, John 3:17-18, are just as important to me. They say “For God did not send his Son into the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” So, if Jesus did not condemn people, who are we to condemn? There’s literally no point! If they believe, there is no condemnation, and if they don’t believe, they are already condemned.
Now, am I saying we shouldn’t stand up for what is right? Absolutely not. However, there is a huge difference between condemnation and accountability. I think sometimes we confuse these. Accountability is always out of love, and is usually only effective after a relationship is built. For instance, if I don’t get up for my quiet time in the morning, Tyler, my roommate, calls me out on it. This only works because Tyler and I have built a friendship, and I know he has my best interests in mind. If some random person called me out for not getting up, I would shut down. In the same way, I told Patrick that his first job is to find a way to love and bless this man. By doing this, he will build a relationship where Patrick can then call the man out. The Holy Spirit will convict the man who steals of his sins. That’s not Patrick’s job.
So I ask you, is there anywhere in your life where you have abandoned love in favor of condemnation? It’s easy to do, and I would argue that condemnation is the number one reason people leave the church. It was never the churches job to convict people of their sin. It is the church’s job to love people, and create an environment where people can grow in their relationship with the Lord. Is there someone you know or know of that you’ve inwardly labeled as “unlovable”? Condemnation and its result, shame, are tools of Satan. As followers of Christ, we must reject these things, and instead choose love. From love comes health, growth, and accountability. So, how can you love someone this week, particularly someone you find it hard to love?
SUPER IMPORTANT: I will keep posting blogs here for the rest of my time on the Race. However, I have started sending out newsletters with information about my future missions activities, and will be updating you that way once the race is over. If you are subscribed to this blog, you will automatically receive these newsletters. If you aren’t subscribed to this blog (you just see the posts on Facebook), please send me your email address via Facebook messenger. This is the only way you will receive updates from me in the future, so please make sure I have your email address. Thanks for all of your continued support!
