Jan. 16, 2008
More thoughts since coming home from Alaska...
Posted in
Mission Trip to Alaska
I have had so many thoughts swirling around in my head (I know, what is new?) and I haven't quite known how to put some of it into words. But, I want to try. I also want to say from the start that I do hope and pray none of what I'm feeling makes anyone else feel less. It is not my intention to make anyone feel badly...these are just things the Lord is laying on my heart. I have wanted to get these feelings out there because I want to hear from others...am I off base? Do you agree? Disagree?
Over the past year, David and I have both sensed the Lord nudging us to come out of our comfort zones. We have been feeling convicted of living too comfortably, in a lot of ways. I think part of these convictions led us to go on this mission trip to Alaska. We felt like the Lord dropped it into our laps and said...GO.
Now that we are back, the feelings are even stronger...the feelings of having the "easy life" as a Christian. I don't mean that life is easy...you all know how I have struggled over the past 2 years with simply being a mom and wife! But, our lives as Christians here in the Bible belt are significantly "easier" to live. Meaning, we don't have doors shutting in our faces...quite as often anyway! We don't have people rudely answering NO when we mention that we are having VBS at church. In fact, generally speaking, we can speak about Jesus to our friends and neighbors without too much negativity. (Note, this is not to say that they are all Christians by any means! But that "religion" is very accepted and "ok" here.)
On the other hand, in Alaska, 95% of the population is lost. Not only that, but they don't attend church either. In the Bible belt you may have a pretty good percentage of lost people, but I'm willing to bet that of those lost people, at least half of them attend church at some point.
Another aspect to the "easy life" is the amount of people we have. I struggled with feeling guilty and spoiled coming back to my big church in TN. I look across the sanctuary and see ten, twenty if not more men there that could at anytime get up and preach a message or give the gospel presentation from the pulpit. In Alaska the state missionaries have a list of villages with NO CHURCHES...a list of churches with NO STAFF...a list of places that want churches with NO WILLING PEOPLE. And folks, this list is rather long.
I looked around our sanctuary and saw how blessed we are with talent. (I notice the music because that is my gifting.) We have a choir and band made up of instrumentalists, back-up instrumentalists, instrumentalist who don't want to play every week, vocalists, praise band rotations, the list goes on. In Alaska, one of the churches we ministered to had been without anyone to help with music in a year, I think.
These are just 2 examples. The list goes on.
My struggle is this...why are so many of us HERE where it is comfortable, easy and we aren't "needed" when the need around the world is staggering. Why are we sitting on the pew hoping they won't call us for nursery duty, when children around the world don't have anyone to share with them the love of Jesus? Why are we showing up late to church on Sundays hoping they won't ask us to usher when in other parts of the world they are struggling to keep the church doors open? Why are we sitting in our comfortable pews being spoon fed each and every week when fellow brothers and sisters around the world don't even have Bibles to read of their own?
(press pause on the music on the sidebar before you listen to this song.)
Comments
Jan. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted
by SchoolinRhome
Sounds like the Lord may be calling you to do more mission trips or maybe go back to Alaska! It definately sounds like your heart is in the right place. It is so true that so many do so little and even complain about the eaxy life the Lord has given them. Many of us moms though also need to realize that our children are our mission field and we need to see to this first. However, the Lord may have a place for you in Alaska full time (with your family.) It is each of out JOB's to seek God's will for our lives and do it. Thanks for the post though. I was thinking if I should try to do snack at church this Sunday as noone signed up yet. My crew has been sick so I thought I might not but now I think I should still do it anyway- the need has not been filled and I CAN do it- even if it a little uncomfortable or extra hassle- in the big picture- it is nothing really!
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Jan. 16, 2008 - I agree with you!!
Posted
by Anonymous
I was born and raised in the Bible belt but no longer live there. I can see exactly what you are saying. I can't wait to see what the Lord does through you and your family now!!! When your eyes are opened, I think you then become accoutable in that area :) and I see your willingness. :)
Blessings to you!
Christi in VA
http://luv2praisehim.blogspot.com
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Jan. 17, 2008 - I know what you mean!
Posted
by MichelleL
I felt exactly the same way after returning from the Mission Field In Mexico. We have truth on every corner, and they hunger and thirst for TRUTH! They really don't know the truth. Most are familiar with religion though.
After that experience, I never saw things the same anymore. I see them through the eyes of what you are describing.
It still weighs on my heart alot. As Spiderman says with great power comes great responsibility. (With great wealth comes great responsibility.) That also goes along with having the comforts of this world's goods and sharing them with others who don't.
We are the rich God refers to in the Bible. Though most of the time we don't consider ourselves rich. I remember seeing a church slide show one year saying if you had 60 cents in your pocket you are richer than 3/4 of the world.
Wow how enlightning. I know that for now I just continue to pray for opportunities to do His work whether that be in person now or just helping to send others. He has different seasons for us . Sometimes to go, sometimes to stay and send others. Right now I need to focus on the sphere of influence he has given me in my current location, being faithful even in the small things.
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Jan. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted
by Anonymous
Oh I will so agree with you that living a life of faith is much easier in the Bible Belt south...it really is. Well, and it is harder in some ways (the keeping up appearances part).
I'm glad your journey was fruitful!
Lindsey @ ETJ
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Jan. 19, 2008 - Call
Posted
by Anonymous
I'm proud of you for beginning to notice a world larger than yourself or your immediate surroundings. I remember sermons about the call to missions, that the call from perceived need must be accompanied by the call from above and also the call from one's mate. The three will eventually coalesce if it is God's will. I'll certainly pray for God to make his will known to you and David. Dad
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Jan. 28, 2008 - God's Calling
Posted
by DJ
We pray daily for God to show you guys the direction he wants you to go. You both know how much we would love to have you in Alaska with us and we all can't ignore the fact that the people up there saw how powerful of a team we make. With that being said, we most of all want you guys to just listen to God and follow him where ever he takes you. We love you!
DJ
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Jan. 29, 2008 - Alaska blog
Posted
by Rebecca
hey, I finally got to read it! How powerful and thought provoking your words are. So many people ask "why" are we doing it, but you know....you and David understand. Keep up the great work in your blog. Hopefully others will "GO!"
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