Over the past two months here at G42, have been learning about tribes (which is just a fancy word for teams),
discipleship, equipping, ministry gifts, new covenant realities, glory,
the entrepreneurship and practical side of following Jesus, leadership
and influence, security, insecurities, how to be a servant leader, how
to be an overflow to others… and I could go on. but one thing that has
stuck out to me the most has been what it looks like to truly walk as
Jesus walked…
“Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.�
[ 1 John 2:6 ]
(the message)
*****
I was at lunch yesterday with my dear friend Tara and we began to
talk about reality. What exactly is reality? Here is what I think: reality is when you take something for what it really is and means.
So with that wouldn’t everyone’s realities be different even if we
are living through the same circumstances? We all come from different
backgrounds and experiences, we are all gifted differently and we all
function differently…
One thing I got told a lot when I returned home from the world race was that those 11 months of my life wasn’t reality.
That I couldn’t replicate it back in America. To be honest, I
understood people’s hearts behind what they meant, but I never really
agreed with the statement. Those 11 months were my reality. The way we
lived together in community and did ministry was real to me. the faces
of poverty and of my teammates that I saw and touched and hugged
everyday was very much so reality and that reality has shaped who I am
today in the Christ. God was real to me then. God is not defined by a
culture or country so I have always known if I work hard- I can form and
cultivate the same reality back home or where ever I end up. Jesus did
this. He lived this way and it is what we are called to do.
God’s reality is not conditional. It is not based on a place or a person or a gifting. My calling, your calling, isn’t a location. It’s not a job title. It’s what’s in you. It’s what’s in front of you.
It is being Jesus to others through more about what they see in you
than what you have to prove or say to them. anyone can do this because
everyone is equipped. everyone has a story.
*****
I believe the reality of the Gospel today is love. to walk in love. to DO and BE love. “because God is love.�
[ 1 John 4:8 ] The reality is that each of us uniquely reveals a
characteristic of God. love is a choice. love multiples. it launches
into action. it pursues. it is without end. love grows. it changes. love
is community. love is support. Love connects people and love connects
dreams. Love is time and time is the greatest gift we have to give each
other.
When we love something or someone we will do anything for that or
them- no matter the cost. a friend. a mom. a spouse, knows what you need
even before you ask… “a friend doesn’t just say things; a friend does.â€� –Love Does.
The Gospel’s not about right or wrong- Jesus’ death was wrong.
injustice happens. we mess up. instead life is about just being freely
loved by Him. no matter what. so this is why we love back.
*****
My heart is in many places- I have a heart for Africa, Haiti and
Asia, but I also have a heart for Dallas- my home and my family. I don’t
have a dream location or a dream ministry. My dream is not to be an
overseas missionary. My dream is not to lead an “X� number of people to
Christ.
My dream is simply to love. to be an over-flower of love. To treat
everyone as if we all know God because we are all on a journey. I work
daily to humble myself and say no matter where God has me: “Here I am Lord, I am here to serve You.“
My ultimate dream is to just live as Jesus did. to love.
*****
“…we need to stop plotting the course
of life and instead just land the plane on our plans to make a
difference by getting to the “do� part of faith. That’s because love is
never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it
or keep planning for it. simply put: love does.“
-Bob Goff
