kingdom travelin'

This article in “Relevant” magazine has several steps that most of us would profit from. But my favorite line in the article comes from the idea that “your life as a mystery to be revealed, not as a problem to be solved” from the first point. If you find yourself stressed out over all that there is TO DO, perhaps a careful, prayerful contemplation of this article and then asking God, “What do YOU want me to get from this?” would help. Of course, you may have to slow down long enough to read it and pray… not to mention being quiet enough to listen…

I just tweeted this, so it’s an unusual double post. But this article in “Christianity Today” is one of the most thoughtful articles I have ever read about short term mission. I have organized and lead my share of short term missions and this article puts forth a philosophy that I completely agree with. Indeed, at CEO, when we engage in short term missions this was the philosophy that guided me. But this writer articulates that philosophy better than I ever did. However I do not think that this article is just for short term mission. I think this article is about life. Give it a read and tell me if you agree. Here is the link again.

This morning it occurred to me that the ‘balance’ conversation needed to include the question: Am I a control freak? Give this a read and maybe take the quiz.

We all struggle. It is human.

We all whine. It is human… normal… natural.

But are we destined to remain in that whining? struggle? insecurity? Perhaps not… Consider these words…

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:4-6 ESV)

I would suggest that when we struggle, wish for this or that or whine, we take a prayerful look at these words and then pray. Indeed, if we would pray more than we complain or whine, I wonder what great things God might do in our own hearts. And then our hearts would give us a new perspective on life and circumstances. No, this does not mean the circumstances will necessarily change for the better. But if we dwell with God, our heart will, and then everything outside of us may very well be more bearable. We CAN view things supernaturally… As God makes it so.

Try saying “no” as much as you say “yes”.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/707753″>Budapest 1945-2008</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/abci”>Szem&aacute;n &Aacute;bel</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>