11 Jan The point of it all.
Posted at 20:45h
in
blog
by Emily Lorin
Every year North Point Community Church kicks up their GoGlobalX campaign to promote the mission trips scheduled for the upcoming year. And every year I have this overwhelming desire to go and help and do. The past couple of years I have found a trip I want to go on, figure out a way to fit it in my schedule…and then chicken out. The reason I chicken out is an unfortunate one. It is not because I think I will be pushed too far out of my comfort zone, it’s not because I think I can’t do it, it is not because my heart backs out. The reason I chicken out is because I hate asking for money. Although I believe missions is the most noble, honorable, and good cause for anyone’s money, I just find it really hard to do. Knowing what I do about my family’s (immediate and extended) condition and the general state of our country I simply feel guilty about asking for money. This is a stupid reason because I firmly believe that God will provide, especially to fund people to spread His love.
This year is no different. I really want to go to Kenya.
Yesterday I was putting together another photo album. It was the photo album for my trip to Europe this past summer. It was a great trip and I (obviously) love photos, taking photos, and creating books with these memories. However, yesterday as I was going on my third hour for the same trip I had this thought… “Why am I doing this? Why have I put so much energy, effort, and money into this thing?” I looked at my mom and asked her this and added, “One day I’ll just die and what good will all of this be?” Her simple answer was that it was so we had memories and could reminiscence for years to come. But sometimes it just seems so silly.
There are times when I look around at my family, my friends, my neighbors, my country, my colleagues, and I think…”What’s the point?” In a highly materialistic and status-conscious culture it is incredibly easy to find other things to focus on. So in these moments I find myself wondering if there could be anything more important and more fulfilling than being a missionary? I don’t know…at one point I considered joining the peace corps, but then simply never followed through. You know there is something I have noticed about these really good ideas I have…if I don’t act on them at that moment…time keeps moving. No one and nothing pauses for you to think things through or pray a little more…the world keeps spinning and you will fall into the next idea waiting for you. I believe that (almost) everything happens for a reason so maybe there is a reason that some ideas are just fleeting…either way being a missionary is something I believe is a wonderful thing to devote your life to. I’m not talking just Kenya or Guatamala, but Atlanta and the US as well. I know that you can always spread God’s love and His truth in whatever you’re doing if you choose too…but…I don’t know. Sometimes I just can’t figure it all out…
KJM
Posted at 22:37h, 11 JanuaryWell put elw…the good thing is that God doesn't give up or chicken out, so if and when you are supposed to go on a mission trip it WILL happen! (can i come?)
Impractical Dreaming
Posted at 01:48h, 13 JanuaryUm…yes! Please?