Melissa and I have been talking about sacrifices moving into missions work. Our savings account has steadily decreased, we have sold more than half of what we owned even just a year ago, we are down to one car, and when I visited our old house to work on an electrical issue this week, I realized I really miss living there.
So what do we gain by doing this all? Sacrificing some comfort, some feelings of security, some senses of controlling what the future holds? Sacrificing a good paying job, a clear and mostly concise role in work at church and other non-profits, and great times with family and friends? Hmmmmm....I do wonder.
I think we will gain an ever-increasing understanding of God's love for the people of this world. I think we will gain a growing love for a people across many miles of ocean and land to the south, and His love for us too. I think we will gain a greater appreciation of those things we did own, if only for a time, and a greater appreciation for those who will never own such things. I think we will gain new and exciting opportunities to share the love of the Christ we know with others, and similar opportunities to share about these life-changing experiences with those back here at home. I think we will get to be a conduit of care and compassion of people here in North America for those in Peru, and maybe beyond.
As I write this, I realize the sacrifices are minimal really. If I truly believe that what I have is God's, all of it, then why should I question how He desires to spend His capital? How He desires to move His assets around a bit? How He desires to make us, His children, a little more dependent on Him, the God of the universe, and a little less dependent on our very meager selves?
Ok, I'm good now. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Take care friends.
Lowell
