I left the United States seven months ago today. Besides two airports, I have not been back in that time. I have swam in the junglish rivers of Ecuador, climbed the mountains of Peru, eaten the greatest foods of Latin America in Guatemala, and been serenaded by the chants of Buddhist monks in Cambodia. It sounds like a lot of fun, right? It is; don’t get me wrong, but I’ve also sacrificed a lot. I cannot drive, travel around alone, or just go grab my favorite snacks. I missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years at home. I have not really spoken to my siblings or friends very much. All for what? Missions. Missions is not free. Bringing freedom to others means letting some of your own go.
When I came on the Race, I was expecting to be doing the average mission work- building, painting, teaching English, and vbs. While I have done all of these, it is totally different than what I thought it would be. I have been pushed to let go of myself more. I have found new gifts that I have. I have new appreciation for the opportunities I have. I have deeper compassion for people of whom I never learn their names. I never expected that. I have seen miracles with my own eyes. Injuries have been completely healed, the Holy Spirit has been my translator, demons have been rebuked, and lives have restored by the grace of Christ. How?
Like I said in my last blog, for there to be resurrection there has to be death. That is the cost.
I was going to give a talk before my squad a few months ago and when I asked God what He wanted to say, He revealed to me a deeper meaning to the verse John 15:13. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” You see, most people would say, “Yes! If it came down to it, I would die for my friend. I would die for my family.” But then they turn around and live a life that only produces death and hurt. The dying part should be a daily part of following Jesus. Before Jesus was crucified, He lived for us. He served and counted being God not something to be grasped. He was crucified the moment He was born. Paul says these lives are not our own. We can choose to die to our flesh and be alive in Jesus. We can choose to love others sacrificially in every moment and lay down our lives for them. If I had continued to live out of comfort to myself, I would have missed out on the things that our Father wanted to show me. I would have missed out on more abundant life. I needed to put to death the way I felt or how I thought others would perceive me to make room for more Jesus. Then I was able to share that with the people around me. And suddenly God was speaking through me, and to me, and it blew me away.
I have a challenge for you now. We are a body of believers. The same exact God who created every atom in existence, who defined the nature of truth, and who loves you more intricately than you will ever know- He lives in us and can speak to us all. My squad does this thing where we draw a name, do not look at who it is, then we pray and ask our Dad what He wants to say to this person. As it comes to us, we write it all down. Maybe it is a letter of affirmation or maybe it is a list of attributes that God sees in them. I am now opening up this opportunity to you. Put to death fear and the lies that you have nothing to say. Sit in the presence of our Lord and write down what He tells you. You can then comment below that you want to and I’ll set you up with another reader who needs to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to them. Edify the church. Be bold. Death is not truly death because we are made alive. The cost is already paid.
Thanks Gap V for being a body of intercessors. You already know what’s up. ;P
