"Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things." - Colossians 3:2
I am not one who typically jumps at the chance to adventure with friends. Actually, I would much rather go to bed at the usual time, cuddle with my husband, and think about what "adventure" we will have the next day. (Which typically means, shopping at the new Walmart built in town.) But I love the adventures that come from mission trips. Mission work is one of my absolute favorite things in this world! Every time I hear of an opportunity to join a mission team, my heart practically leaps from my chest in excitement. I feel a need to rush to the table and be the first to sign up, while also forcing my husband and friends to join me in all the adventures to come. Mission trips are close to my heart, and have played an important role in shaping me into the person I am now. Some of the most precious moments in my life have occurred while I was serving along side other believers for one purpose; to make His name known. I get so much excitement from simply GOING in the name of Jesus Christ! But the excitement I have for doing the same things in my home town is somewhat lacking. I lack the urgency and excitement I should have to serve the people I see every day in my life.
So what prevents me from taking a step of faith and sharing with others what I have placed my hope in? Comfort. I would much rather stay in my comfortable chair in a corner at the coffee shop with my head phones in, while tuning out the world. I would rather focus on myself, get my school work done, and continue with my every day life. In other words, I would rather be selfish with my time, because I am comfortable doing that. Adventuring on a mission trip challenges us as believers to step our of our comfort zone, and be uncomfortable. It forces us to step away from our regular routines, and fight for the lives of people who do not know Him as their Savior. It is a mindset that challenges us, and forces us to pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. For Him to make appointments for us to talk with unbelievers, or simply pray over people. We pray for the Holy Spirit to help us see others through His eyes rather than our own.
The thing that I struggle with is having that mindset for more than just one week out of the year. It needs be my focus every day of my life. Weather it be praying as I walk through campus, or talking to the same people I see at Starbucks every Friday. I want my focus to be on what is eternal. I do not want to be so focused on myself that I can't see how broken others are and their need of a Savior. I want to see others through God's eyes, like the woman at the coffee shop who is working two jobs. Or the couple who's marriage is falling apart. Or the mom at the grocery store with three kids who is going through a divorce. I want my focus to be eternal, which means asking the barista at Starbucks if she needs prayer for anything. Going to talk to the older couple who I see at Starbucks every Friday at the same time. Reaching out to the girls on campus who are finding value in the attention they receive from men. Reaching out to the girl who sits next to me in class by asking about her life.
This mindset is not something that comes naturally. Actually, it requires me to rebel against the natural tendencies of my flesh every single day. It requires me to take the attention off my worldly pleasures, so I can better focus on what is eternal. It requires me to listen to the Holy Spirit by simply taking my head phones out. And instead of tuning out the world, tune into it and listen to when God is calling me to "go".
I am not one who typically jumps at the chance to adventure with friends. Actually, I would much rather go to bed at the usual time, cuddle with my husband, and think about what "adventure" we will have the next day. (Which typically means, shopping at the new Walmart built in town.) But I love the adventures that come from mission trips. Mission work is one of my absolute favorite things in this world! Every time I hear of an opportunity to join a mission team, my heart practically leaps from my chest in excitement. I feel a need to rush to the table and be the first to sign up, while also forcing my husband and friends to join me in all the adventures to come. Mission trips are close to my heart, and have played an important role in shaping me into the person I am now. Some of the most precious moments in my life have occurred while I was serving along side other believers for one purpose; to make His name known. I get so much excitement from simply GOING in the name of Jesus Christ! But the excitement I have for doing the same things in my home town is somewhat lacking. I lack the urgency and excitement I should have to serve the people I see every day in my life.
So what prevents me from taking a step of faith and sharing with others what I have placed my hope in? Comfort. I would much rather stay in my comfortable chair in a corner at the coffee shop with my head phones in, while tuning out the world. I would rather focus on myself, get my school work done, and continue with my every day life. In other words, I would rather be selfish with my time, because I am comfortable doing that. Adventuring on a mission trip challenges us as believers to step our of our comfort zone, and be uncomfortable. It forces us to step away from our regular routines, and fight for the lives of people who do not know Him as their Savior. It is a mindset that challenges us, and forces us to pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. For Him to make appointments for us to talk with unbelievers, or simply pray over people. We pray for the Holy Spirit to help us see others through His eyes rather than our own.
The thing that I struggle with is having that mindset for more than just one week out of the year. It needs be my focus every day of my life. Weather it be praying as I walk through campus, or talking to the same people I see at Starbucks every Friday. I want my focus to be on what is eternal. I do not want to be so focused on myself that I can't see how broken others are and their need of a Savior. I want to see others through God's eyes, like the woman at the coffee shop who is working two jobs. Or the couple who's marriage is falling apart. Or the mom at the grocery store with three kids who is going through a divorce. I want my focus to be eternal, which means asking the barista at Starbucks if she needs prayer for anything. Going to talk to the older couple who I see at Starbucks every Friday at the same time. Reaching out to the girls on campus who are finding value in the attention they receive from men. Reaching out to the girl who sits next to me in class by asking about her life.
This mindset is not something that comes naturally. Actually, it requires me to rebel against the natural tendencies of my flesh every single day. It requires me to take the attention off my worldly pleasures, so I can better focus on what is eternal. It requires me to listen to the Holy Spirit by simply taking my head phones out. And instead of tuning out the world, tune into it and listen to when God is calling me to "go".