Why am I going to Africa?

Lately I have been reading "Get Uncomfortable," a study on poverty and injustice by Todd Phillips. In this study Todd states,

"At our essence as believers, we can either be proclaiming servers or serving proclaimers. There is really not much difference in the two; both express the same truth. In either case, we shouldn't be proclaiming Christ without serving people, and we shouldn't be serving people without proclaiming Christ."

Todd challenges readers to be ready to share the gospel (scriptures memorized!) and to be ready to share scriptures for why we are serving others.

This really challenges me! I think my small group, church and certain family members "get" why I am going to Africa. I'm not so sure other friends, family members or co-workers understand. And, admittedly, I am not great at explaining or having scriptures ready to verify. So, this blog is an attempt to explain what I have lacked in doing so far!

The bible says in 1 John 3:16-19 the following:

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence



One of the hardest things about being "Saved" is explaining the transformation to a non-believer. Someone said to me recently, it is like trying to explain the color green to a blind person. I can describe ways my life has changed and I can talk about feelings of joy and peace. But I can't describe exactly how I changed or the internal/eternal difference in my life. When I was saved, it was like blinders were lifted and I gained an understanding and insight of scripture and truth. The first year after I became Christian, was a time of learning. I couldn't get enough of the bible and I had so many questions I wanted answers too. God gently showed me areas of my life that were in conflict with His ways and began changing me. I was so on fire for the Lord it was all I wanted to talk about and I was certain my excitement and passion would rub off on everyone I knew. Soon I felt the Lord calling me to faith in action. When I went on my first mission trip in 2006, I remember sharing my testimony with my leaders and breaking down crying from the realization of God's grace in my life. His goodness in answering my prayer to serve Him, to bring Glory to His Kingdom in some tangible way.

I think sometimes people associate me going to Africa because I am a "good person" and I therefore do "good things." While these notions are flattering, they are not accurate. The reality is that only God is good. I continually fall short of God's expectations. Everyday I struggle with sin and quite often it despairs me how hopeless I am on my own. I am not trying to serve others to be good. I am not going to Africa to be good. I am serving others in response to the goodness and love God showed me. The bible says in Romans 5:8 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." That blows my mind. God knew/knows every way I would rebel and turn away from him and still will in my life. Yet, He loves me so much, He sent His only son to die on my behalf. Do I or did I deserve it? Absolutely not. We often admire Romeo and Juliet stories that have the characters dying for their one and only love. In the story, the characters share a reciprocal love for one another. But this scripture says God's love for us was one way. Before we knew it or accepted it, He loved us. If you ask me, that is true love. That is amazing, beyond human comprehension love.

So His love and salvation is a free gift. It can not be earned and it is freely given. But does that mean I do not respond in reaction to this love? Isn't if funny how we respond to a person we have an "interest" in? My friends and I joke all the time, when our girlfriends meet the right person it is like they fall off the earth. They go over and above to please that person and make them happy, putting their partner's needs before their own. One day a friend will mention she met someone to me, within the year they are married! What a major response to the love they are feeling towards their partner. It is natural and part of what is so great about love.

In light of our reaction to one another when we fall in love, shouldn't we respond to God's love and gift of salvation? Maybe for the non-believer the response is saying "yes Jesus, I accept your death on the cross for my sins. Thank you for loving me." For believers it may be service in a certain ministry and/or spreading the gospel. For me, one of ways I am responding is going to Africa. I am praying that by going to Africa, it will somehow bring Glory to God and further His Kingdom. The irony is, I expect I will gain infinately more then I could ever give in taking this trip. And I pray those experiences/lessons will not only bless me but be a blessing for those who hear about my trip.



Let me ask you, how have you responded to God's love?


Love you all!