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?
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