I'm continuing to process this missional thing and I'm becoming aware that one feels overwhelmed as we look at the broad nature of need around us. The overwhelmed feeling happens when we begin to see Jesus in the people around us. Before we were able to live within our world of busyness and nicely heated homes, but as we realize the mission of Jesus our eyes...spiritual and physical...are opened to the great needs around us.
And then you read authors on the missional movement. You become aware of environmental devastation that you didn't know about. You learn of economic injustices. You skin crawls as you learn more of the persecution that goes on around the world. And here you are, stuck in the place where you're at with a book in your hand left wondering, "What difference can I really make?"
I've felt that many times over the last several months. The fact is that it's not only about making a difference, but it's about becoming more like Christ. To become more like Christ requires both loving God and others. It's about growing closer to the heart of God and demonstrating that heart to other people. If we focus on the monstrosity of the issues around us we will be easily overwhelmed. I don't think that's the point. So what is the point? Committing our lives to a transforming relationship with Christ that changes us and our world.
It started with me in a very small way. I love clothes. I had a lot of them. I got rid of over half of them. I learned to live with less and now hold the conviction not to buy unless I'm in definite need of them. It wasn't me first saying "I think it would be a great thing to give some things away." It began with conviction. I loved the stuff. I had more than what was necessary. I wanted to learn to live with less. This has impacted how I spend money and my overall outlook on stuff. God changed this part of my outlook on life. This benefits others. It benefits those things I don't buy that support slave labor. It supports those we can give more to because we spend less. But these things are byproducts, not the initial change. The initial change comes with the heart.
I don't share this to boast or brag...but hopefully to give hope! What I described to you was very small, but it's very significant. I can't change the world, but I can allow God to change me. In that process something happens. Others benefit. The Kingdom coming in my heart and life benefit others...and it should. Don't get overwhelmed by the enormity of the global atrocities, but allow yourself to be transformed by God and see that transformation through the lens of global benefit.
Perhaps some year for you it may be taking a family vacation to Africa. There you may work with AIDS prevention. You may be a minority. You may learn what it feels like to be an outcast. You may see what it is like to travel hours for water. You may feel blessed to love the outcasts there. You may be blessed to be changed by their humanity (I'm describing a dream I have personally of going there...hopefully soon). It could be simply viewing life differently...that you're here to bless and serve others instead of yourself. That doesn't even take a cross-continental trip!
You may love stuff less. You may love others more. You may be changed. This I think is the heart of the missional message of Jesus. God in flesh walked among others and showed them a new way...one that doesn't vest itself in the things of this world but in beautiful humanity...the apex of his creation. He came to love and serve all...no longer are there slave or free, male or female, etc...he came to love us all.
