So I live in Lynchburg VA. For those of you who do not know thats the home of Liberty Univeristy and Thomas Road Baptist Church. I am surrounded by "Christians." Liberty Mountain is flooded each August with students returning to campus for another school year. Some of my good friends are Liberty Students. They are passionate about their walk with Christ, committed to their ministry and truly doing some amazing things for Jesus. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. We are blessed to have this University. We get some of the best worship and best preaching in the country. Its truly top notch. Opportunities are present everywhere to go to Africa and China and South America for Christ.
Ergun Caner is the dean of the seminary and preaches almost every Wednesday night at Campus Church. His messages are powerful and real. He is passionate about teaching and helping students discern what God wants and live this life for His glory. I remember one Campus Church Service in particular.... He made the comment that when he brings someone to LU he does not want them to offer safe and secure ministry spots to his students.... LU students crave something more. He went on to say that too many Christians live the "safe" life fully missing out on what God can do if they were willing and able. His phrase for the night..... "Go one step outside the gates of Hell and set up camp" I LOVE THAT! Go where no one else will go.... be who no one else will be....stand up for what no one else will stand up for. Simple but so necessary.
I have a confession. I play the what if game alot.... I love my life and my family. I love my friends and I am truly blessed. TRULY. But sometimes, I get bored. Sometimes I allow my life to become too ordinary. I begin to convince myself that someone elses journey is more exciting and better. I have friends who come back from summer with amazing stories of camp and mission trips. I read blogs about students who traveled half way across the world and preached the gospel to people who have never heard the name of Jesus. I sit across the table from people who share with me dreams of full time ministry that would simply make your jaw drop. And envitably a bit of doubt creeps into my body and takes over. Maybe I am suppose to live that exciting life! Maybe I am playing it too safe. I do not have those amazing and jaw dropping stories about 100's of people coming to know Jesus in a single summer.
Then, I remember.... the front porch conversation with a young girl getting ready to head off to college in the fall for her freshman year. I think about the 20-something friend who finally realized that she is worth something and left an abusive relationship to discover life all over again. I recall images of a newly single dad with three children working two jobs to make ends meet. I think about community center block parties with neighborhoods who are hurting and broken. I take a ride over to the empty church parking lot and sit on the playground brainstorming ways to make God's purpose come alive in a church and a body of people that I love sooooo dearly.
Its so easy for me to play the "what if" game. I am surrounded by wonderful and exciting stories. I get so caught up in the big moments of other people's journeys that I forget to see the beauty of my own.
So whats the point you might ask? Why did I take the time on a Friday night to sit here and write this blog? Ready.... its quite simple. God has all of us on a journey. Each person's story and path is going to be different. Do not compare. Do not think that somehow your less famous, less dangerous, less glamorous journey is any less worthy. We have communities and towns and churches who are hurting and who are lost and broken. If God is calling you to that mission field, you should be honored to be a part of it. There is hard work to be done....
Father God,
Forgive me Lord for playing "what if" and comparing my journey to someone elses. God I admit that I often wish for the super exciting and super glamorous. I am sorry for the times God when I allowed life to become mudane and ordinary and missed the opportunity to connect with one of your children. I pray for America and our churches and our communities. So many of them are hurting. Open our eyes God to see their needs. Help us discern God how to be your hands and feet. God use me...use us to reach a lost and broken people who are desperately searching for hope.... I want to shine a light God that leads them right into Your loving and open arms. Make us aware of the people God in our churches, our families, our workplaces and our communities that need You. Make I take the time to build those relationships and friendships constantly showing them, telling them, encouraging them, teaching them, living life with them because I love them the way that You love them. Its really that simple. Thank you for those people who are willing to go into other countries to share the Gospel. Thank you for missionaries who travel across the country to teach and show someone Your love. God, together may we make a difference. Together may we live the life that honors and glorifies You. We cannot do it without Your help. I am dependent upon your strength and your love. - Amen
