El Salvador, here I come. Reluctantly. I am not a big fan of flying in airplanes. I like my feet on the ground. My dad is not big on flying either. He was well into his 40′s before he ever set foot into an airplane. I think it was for my mom and dad’s 25th wedding anniversary, and they flew to Hawaii. My dad achieved “Rock Star Status” with the older retired ladies who signed up for the tours they went on, while in Hawaii. I have the video tape to prove it…
Pastoral Confession: I can very easily fall into grooves and patterns of behavior. I like the predictable, the familiar, and the safe. On the one hand, that makes me reliable, dependable, and responsible. Those are good things. Those are good farmer genes, which I inherited from my dad and grandpa. But if I am not careful, those good qualities can also cause me to miss out on a spontaneous or adventurous leap of faith. So to me, Missions Trips are like a spiritual discipline that I need to “snap myself out of it” and realize that I can do new things, face new challenges, and work with new people. God is Big and Strong, and he wants us to rely on Him, Trust in Him, and Walk in Him. But the only way to do that is by going out to face the giants, and by stepping out of the boat. If we stay home, and if we stay in the boat, God can’t show us how Big He is, and how Strong He is. I remember one quote from a missionary who said, “we don’t just believe in miracles, we DEPEND on them.”
So, maybe your pastor can inspire you today to step out of your comfort zone a little, and get involved in a ministry that you feel inadequate to try, or have that conversation about faith with your friend or co-worker, which you have been putting off. Put yourself out there. Take a step of faith.
You will try and talk yourself out of it, make excuses, and you just might stumble over your words, or act goofy, but c-mon people. At some point you have to step out of the boat, and go face a giant. That is scary, yes, but its the only way to see God do something great in your life, and with your life.
Great blog post and challenge!