We were asked to write a blog about how we were called to this mission trip. Here is my story…
Last week, I was reminded of a news article I had read last
winter. In my mind, the details were vague, but the memory of sadness
profound. It was about a woman named Christina who lived in New York
City and was found dead in her apartment. She was wearing her hat and
winter jacket, lying on her bed. When the autopsy came back, it was
presumed that she had been dead for 12-14 months. There was no family,
no friends, no neighbors, no corner deli-store workers, no mailmen who
missed her.
winter. In my mind, the details were vague, but the memory of sadness
profound. It was about a woman named Christina who lived in New York
City and was found dead in her apartment. She was wearing her hat and
winter jacket, lying on her bed. When the autopsy came back, it was
presumed that she had been dead for 12-14 months. There was no family,
no friends, no neighbors, no corner deli-store workers, no mailmen who
missed her.
No one.
She had been dead for over a year and no one knew. I remember
being overwhelmed with sadness when I read this. It seemed atrocious
that someone could live life among millions and still live in complete
separation from them all. Is that really living? But this then got me
thinking: how often are people around me spiritually dying inside? And
am I too blind, too self-centered, too agenda-driven, too tired, too
restless to even notice? If I live my whole life in spiritual
separation from those I brush up against every day, is this an
atrocity? If Jesus came that we might have abundant life
(John 10:10), what does that look like? Does abundant life come not
with endless blessing, but with complete vulnerability, letting people
(all people, not just the ones that make me comfortable) into my life,
even when it hurts? If I’m on to something with these questions, I
want to dig deeper. I want to know more. I want to be transformed.
being overwhelmed with sadness when I read this. It seemed atrocious
that someone could live life among millions and still live in complete
separation from them all. Is that really living? But this then got me
thinking: how often are people around me spiritually dying inside? And
am I too blind, too self-centered, too agenda-driven, too tired, too
restless to even notice? If I live my whole life in spiritual
separation from those I brush up against every day, is this an
atrocity? If Jesus came that we might have abundant life
(John 10:10), what does that look like? Does abundant life come not
with endless blessing, but with complete vulnerability, letting people
(all people, not just the ones that make me comfortable) into my life,
even when it hurts? If I’m on to something with these questions, I
want to dig deeper. I want to know more. I want to be transformed.
My heart’s desire is that my life might count. I long to know
that when I die, whether it be tomorrow or in 80 years, that my life
told a story of something…no, Someone…much bigger than myself. To
me, this is the mission field. To me, today is my mission field. I
wish I could say I always got it right, but I seem to struggle more
than I succeed. In my journey of becoming more like Jesus and loving
more like Jesus, I have so much to learn.
that when I die, whether it be tomorrow or in 80 years, that my life
told a story of something…no, Someone…much bigger than myself. To
me, this is the mission field. To me, today is my mission field. I
wish I could say I always got it right, but I seem to struggle more
than I succeed. In my journey of becoming more like Jesus and loving
more like Jesus, I have so much to learn.
This is where Adventures in Missions enters my story. When I
heard about AIM and the Community Life program, I was so excited. I
was stirred by knowing that there was a group of people who were
committed to uncovering new ways of relating to God and one another.
My longings were triggered at the suggestion that I could learn to
share life with people who were interested in living out a radical,
sacrificial, surrendered faith. And I wanted in. I desire to serve
God and I know I can learn from my brothers and sisters how to do that
more, to do that better. And I can’t wait.
heard about AIM and the Community Life program, I was so excited. I
was stirred by knowing that there was a group of people who were
committed to uncovering new ways of relating to God and one another.
My longings were triggered at the suggestion that I could learn to
share life with people who were interested in living out a radical,
sacrificial, surrendered faith. And I wanted in. I desire to serve
God and I know I can learn from my brothers and sisters how to do that
more, to do that better. And I can’t wait.
So, here is to a year of adventure. Here is to choosing to see
the Christina’s in my world, and love them like Jesus does. And here
is to you, my reader…may you journey with me and discover the heart
of Jesus as I do, too.
the Christina’s in my world, and love them like Jesus does. And here
is to you, my reader…may you journey with me and discover the heart
of Jesus as I do, too.
Hey Shaye, this is a great post! I’m glad to hear a bit of your inner thoughts and your excitement for community. I can’t wait until you’re here and walking this out with us. We’re all broken and a bit messed up, but we go farther together…praise God! See you soon!