Did I just say that?
Can I be a Christian and say that?
If someone called me and said "Congratulations! you have won a free trip to Africa!" I would say "is this exchangeable for say, Europe?"
There are a few reasons why I would react this way and I will try to articulate them:
1)I don't have a heart for Africa. I have tried. I have prayed for the desire to reach the nations. It just feels so forced. Don't get me wrong I CARE about the people there - it just doesn't make my heart ache or stir up a desire in me.
2)I feel like I have to. If you know me at all you may know I am a tad [extremely] stubborn. I spent 2 years of my life at an Internship in Texas that made me feel like THIS IS A CHRISTIAN: you wear TOMS, you love Africa, you go to Africa, you journal for hours a day, Your bedroom walls are decorated with pictures and posters of Africa. I didn't fit this mold no matter how hard I tried. So I rebel, sometimes to a fault. It is really hard for me to spend time journal, reading my Bible, and sometimes I feel like a poser wearing TOMS.
3)I don't think I am a "'goer". You may have heard the term. Apparently Christians are either goers, senders or intercessors. [oh, good more boxes to fit into] Well of all of those goer does NOT fit me at all. At least not a goer to Africa. We are all called to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." [Mark 16:15] Which I take as a command, but what about go into MY city, or Detroit, or the gosh darn grocery store, and proclaim the Good News there? Does that not count?
So what does all this mean?
Well it means, I respect, admire, and sometimes envy people who love and get to go to Africa and other countries around the world spreading God's love. It means I have to be reminded that the work I do in Michigan is worthwhile too. Sharing about The Lord and how He has radically transformed and gives me joy despite sad circumstances is doing something too. My husband leads worship at our church, we are going to host a Bible study, we love to host and encourage people and walk though life's storms with them.
I also support, both prayerfully and financially missionaries and organizations that are Going.
My brother-in-law Nathan is living in Hawaii right now [what a rough life] training to move to Oman in 2016.
Maybe I should do more, go more, be better.
What about you? Do you want to go to Africa?
Linked up with Love the Here and Now
No way... never...
ReplyDeleteMy best friend had such a heart for missions... she traveled even while battling cancer... me? I don't want to go on my best day.
But I work in youth ministry... lots of people would never want to do that... just shows we all have a calling on our lives... God needs us all - in Africa, or at home :)
wow your best friend sounds amazing! SO true Rebecca Jo! We all have a special and unique purpose on our lives. I am glad I am not the only Christian who doesn't want to go! I am always glad I don't work in youth ministry haha its exhausting! all the activities and over nighters I am tired just thinking about it! God Bless you for doing that!
DeleteHaha I guess right now Africa would not be on the top of my list due to Ebola. I would love to go some day. My dream is to go to Kenya and go to Giraffe Manor: http://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor. How cool does that place look?!
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ meandmr.com
good call about Ebola! That place looks awesome! Giraffes are so cool! There is a giraffe experience exhibit at the Detroit Zoo so that might satisfy me until, well maybe forever. haha
DeleteHonestly, yes... but to vacation. Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a heart for ministry in Africa. I think it's great that some people do, but it would be absurd to think that to be a Christian you need to want to go to Africa. We all have different callings. It's good that you know yours ISN'T something, even if you don't know what it is, yet.
baha you're not a bad person. I am so relieved to see that I am not the only one who doesn't have a burning desire to go to Africa to help the orphans. Thank you for the encouragement!
DeleteHaha. I'm so opposite. I would drop everything and move to Africa (Ethiopia in particular) if God called me there. I've been twice and my heart was left there. I agree completely, though, that not everyone is called or equipped to do certain things for the Lord. We need to follow His callings.
ReplyDeletewell I am glad you see my point. I am so glad your heart is in Africa :) His callings are so much better than that I think I should be called to do. Thanks for your thoughts! do you have plans to go back?
Deletei went to a Christian college & understand exactly what you mean! it was never said, but those students that didn't go to BSU every thursday, spend their summers overseas, or weren't missions majors - were "less than" Christians. again, it wasn't ever said... but it was kinda implied/felt.
ReplyDeleteyou are so right when you say that everyone is called to be a missionary! but not everyone is called to be a missionary overseas! being a missionary doesn't mean not having a career, or not living in a city in America. it's who you are, not where you are. you can be a disciple anywhere & every single city on this planet needs the gospel.
Oh, Robyn! I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship! haha. you get me!!! you get me! It was never said but it was felt. It was a certain attitude that made me feel like I wasn't good enough. It it what lead to a rebellion period because I felt like I just would never be good enough.
DeleteHi Mary-Keith! I love reading your posts because you are so honest, real, and HILARIOUS! I always look forward to reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stop by and tell you that I recently nominated you for the "One Lovely Blog Award." I hope that's okay. I was excited to share your blog with others. The link to then nomination is here: www.ahoykate.com/2014/10/one-lovely-blog-award.html
I love this post. I think ask Christians there are often so many boxes we feel we're supposed to fit into. It's cool to see you're being so honest with yourself about where you passions and gifts are.
I hope you're having a great week! :)
-Kate
oh my gosh, Kate! you are soo sweet! Thank you for nominating me!! That is unbelievably kind! It is so hard for me to not put myself into a box. My husband always tells me that comparison is the thief of joy and I think that is so true. When I look at what other Christians are doing it makes me feel inadequate which is SILLY because Jesus loves me the way I am. He made me that way, right? Thanks again for being so sweet!
DeleteI am JUST LIKE YOU when it comes to this!!! But, I love that our mission can be our workforce, our neighborhood, and our community! It doesn't mean we are any worse of Christians because we don't travel oversees!!!
ReplyDeleteAmen Caroline!!!! We are still serving God at home!
DeleteAMEN TO THIS! SO MUCH AMEN TO THIS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteStephaniieee!! I love you haha we are soo like-minded!
DeleteI love your honesty! I do not have a desire to go to Africa either. I'm sorry. I just don't. I think there are people everywhere that need help and like you said, some right in our own backyards!! Why does it matter where you go as long as you do good wherever you are?
ReplyDeleteexactly, Anne! I am so glad to see people on the same page with me. I was afraid people were going to think I was a bad person for not wanting to go. I feel much better now! As long as are open to helping people where ever we are, we don't need to go half way around the world to do it!
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