And Strangely......That's Enough

I was reading a book recently called Radical by David Platt. I started reading it not long after I arrived in South Africa and in the begin pages was really enjoying it. But as I read further into the book the more I started to struggle with how contradictory some of the statements in the book where. Lets just say my theology wasn't really matching up with that of Platt. Granted Platt is a baptist minister from Birmingham, Alabama and I have grown up in the Montana Lutheran ELCA church. But I am all for interfaith dialogue, so I kept reading. So, even though I found myself disagreeing with more of the theology in Mr. Platt's writings he had one statement that really got me thinking. "Nothing but the people of God and the Word of God. And strangely, that's enough." He writes this phrase in reference to secret meetings of Christians all across different Asian countries, and how their desire for the Word was so intense that they were willing to risk their lives just to hear more of it.

Now we live in a consumer ridden world that demands more for sure, but more of what? Since being in Lekubu I have come to realize that the "more" I have been desiring in my life isn't something I can pick up at the store or order online. It's the desire to surround myself with God's people, God's children. To try and live in community with His people in every place on this earth. To learn as much as I possibly can about His people with the time I have been gifted with. To continue intentionally sharing and studying the Word together with my brothers and sisters. To choose to make my faith a way of life, rather then merely a system of beliefs. We have so much that we can share with each other simply by joining in fellowship. Because at the end of the day, the people of God and the Word of God, are strangely enough……

 

*written September 8th, 2013

Life, Love, and "Things"

I left Laurel Montana two weeks ago knowing one thing, things were going to change. I didn't know how they were going to change, what exactly would change or even really why they would end up changing, but I knew they would change. Since then I have come to know so much more then just things are going to change. I've learned so much about this world that I thought I had figured out and really had absolutely no clue. I've pushed my own fears and discomforts to levels I didn't ever think possible. Things i have thought about and pondered for many years now all of a sudden have come to light when I least expected them to. And I was forced to not only name them but face them. One of the biggest things I named in the last two weeks was my natural tendency of running from things. No, not the physical act of running, cause we all know I can't do that very well. But the figurative emotional cross country trek i've been at my entire life. I've always known that my natural reaction to things that took me out of my comfort zone was to run, but I never realized to what extent and how hard I've truly been running for so long.

The good news is, I'm not running anymore. YAGM has been the first step in stopping my trek, and turning around to face all the things chasing me. And being a part of this program allowed me to step back and really look at my life before I was even sent abroad. So what exactly are those things I've been running from you may ask? For starters, what is my purpose here in this world? Rather then simply being content to exist, I'm going to keep exploring and searching until I truly find my calling. Now that may sound irresponsible, and heck maybe it is, but i'd rather being wandering chasing a purpose then going through the motions of a life I hate everyday. Secondly, living for me and God. I have spent my entire life putting unfair expectations on myself. And by placing those expectation on myself it has lead others to in tail do the same. Its time for me to live for what brings me to life inside and where God is calling me too, regardless of how it may be viewed by those around me. Thirdly, that ministry and God are going to be a part of my life. I've spent the last 8 years or so trying to live a double life. A "christian" one, and a secular one. Let me tell ya, it's absolutely exhausting. I've learned that I can be a man of faith and not be perfect. I am, and always will be a sinner. The best part about it, I'm already forgiven. And lastly, that life is something worth sharing. It's not intended to be hoarded or lived in exile. Humans were created for community and to be together with each other and all of creation. So, to all those people i've told I will be single and alone for my entire life………lets just say I may be eating those words someday. Cause lets be honest, I love people.

So here's to new wanderings, and scary new directions that are exciting in a whole new way. Ready, set, GO!

 

Peace

*written September 1st, 2013

 

The Land of Dust

            It was just a random Friday afternoon in early summer, and the joys of the warmer weather could be felt all across town. People could be seen all up and down the road enjoying each others company and soaking in what was left of the fleeting afternoon sun. As I myself sat out on the front porch enjoying some of the beautiful weather, a large commotion broke out not far down the road. I couldn't quite tell what was going on from my position on the porch so I decided to do further investigating. As I moved down the lane the noise of the commotion grew and so did the numbers of people who appeared to also be investigating the disturbance to our peaceful afternoon sun. The closer I got to the source of the noise the harder it became to see. There was dust flying everywhere. "What on Earth could be causing so much dust to be flying up all over the place?" I thought to myself. Yes, it was the dry season and it hadn't rained much at all lately, but still this was something I had never seen. I found myself navigating my way through the mass of people that had formed desperately trying to catch a glimpse of what was going on from within the crowd, but this was no easy task. Whatever was happening in there was exciting, because the crowd kept erupting in cheers and whistles.

            After what seamed like ages I finally was able to move my way up to the front of the swarm of cheering, whistling people. I was finally going to get to see what was causing all this commotion. Just as my vision became open to see what was happening I was grabbed and thrust right into the middle of whatever it was the crowd had surrounded. The dust was even more intense now that I was at the heart of the disturbance and it was even more difficult to orient myself and see what was going on around me. THUD! Something, I don't know what at this point, hits me right in the chest and falls to the ground in front of me. "What in the?" I thought to myself as I stared down at what appeared to be a ball of some sorts, still trying desperately to understand what I had stumbled into. Shouts came from all around me, "Malome! Malome Keen!". I lift my head as the dust around me started to settle. It was then that I finally realized what I had been dragged from my comfortable seat on the front porch for.

 

And that's how I became part of a pick up football(soccer) game, in the middle of a dry dusty road, in Lekubu, South Africa on a random Friday afternoon.

 

*written September 5th, 2013