Passion

A couple of days ago, as we were working on preparations for the upcoming trip to Kenya, my wife said something that captured my attention. Her observation really made me stop and think. I am paraphrasing but it was something like "Everyone can see you are very passionate about Kenya." This surprised me because, while I am very passioate about Kenya, I am even more passionate abut short term missions and I try to communicate that too anyone I talk with about missions.

Don't get me wrong, I love the people of Kenya, the relationships we have formed and being able to sustain those relationships over time but I am truly passionate about being involved in what God is doing in my life and the lives of the people I am with.

Christian is not a religion, a denomination or a club. Christian is an adjective that should describe the person it is applied to. What kind of person is described as a Christian? Someone who has a relationship with Christ and is trying to follow the example He set. If we are trying to follow Christ we need to be in a relationship with Christ. Relationships involve a lot of verbs, a lot of doing. The Bible gives us directions for a lot of doing. Go and make disciples of all men, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. There are a lot of verbs, a lot of doing, in this one verse: going, discipling, baptising. Christianity is an adjective that should describe someone who has an active relationship with Christ. Someone who is doing what Jesus is doing. Short term missions provide us with opportunities to do what Christ is doing. This isn't the only opportunity we have to do what Christ is doing but it is something of a unique opportunity. Short term missions allows us to build relationships with our brothers and sisters from across the globe. When I think of all the people I have met and bonded with through the trips we have made to Kenya, and I think of how we would never have met otherwise, I feel blessed. Short term missions give us an opportunity to get outside our comfort zones, to leave behind the familliar (freinds, family, Home Depot), to climb out of the boat, and take a walk on the wild side with Christ. I have seen God impact lives through short term missions and my life has been forever changed because of what God has done to, through and with me on short term mission trips.

Yes I am passionate about Kenya but I am even more passionate about being in the center of whatever God is doing whether that is at Living Hope, Camp Daniel, Rock the Lakes, or in Kenya. If you are involved in what the Father is doing then you know how blessed we are. If you aren't involved then I invite you to take Jesus' hand and go for a walk on the wild side. Your life will never be the same.