Seven years ago was the first time at the orphanage in Mexico. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my first time being out of the country. It was my first actual mission trip. It was truly an eye opening experience. One of those moments that when you are experiencing it, you begin to realize that you will never look at life the same way.
Culture shock is an understatement for what I experienced. I had been so used to the American way of life. The way of life where a person's worth is determined by the amount of things they have. The way of life where money is the bottom line. The way of life where spiritual riches are equal to the amount of good things you do.
For some reason I felt more closer to God when I was there. But how could this be? I mean, I didn't worship Him in some million dollar church building while there. I did not dress up in a suit and tie while there, either. Life seemed to be simpler and God's voice seemed to be less drowned out in Mexico. Here I was, not surrounded by all of these material things that we say we cannot live without in America, and I started to see more of Him. The closeness I experienced with God down there reached into the depths of my soul, the inner most part of what makes me, me; and grabbed me.
I think the reason God captured my heart so much when I was there is because while there I was only concerned about service. How to love others as I had always loved myself. During my time there I was giving more of myself to others than I ever had before.
Maybe that's what life is all about; loving God and loving others. Maybe all of this stuff isn't so important. Maybe watching out for #1 (me) isn't really the best way to live. Maybe life is truly about being a servant of God by serving others. It's a simple way of looking at things, but it's also a life changing way. When I am serving others I feel more closer to God. When I am thinking less about how I can get ahead and more of how I can love and help others I truly feel God's presence in my life. The important thing that I have tried to remember is that God wants me to have this attitude no matter where I am. He wants me to love and serve when I here in corporate money driven America and when I am in foreign lands.
1 comment:
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