January 6, 2011

Eka Kpukpro Owo

After reading this article about the Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, some of my thoughts about how I want to embrace God's plan for me became clearer.

Let me know if you've had the same thoughts: as I sit through these four years of college, occasionally I will suddenly feel that it is pointless and that my life would be much more productive for the Kingdom if I moved to Tibet or Kenya or Orange County, California as a missionary. Then, after some praying, I determine once more that God is not currently calling me to do things quite that way (yet).

My time in college is not like Jesus's time in the desert or Mary Slessor's time in poverty in Scotland in that is is difficult; but it is a time of preparation. If I was not supposed to be here, God would have made that clear by now. First off, I live in one of the most developed countries in the world and thus I don't have to worry about food or shelter; I have internet access and expendable money. Second, I'm getting a college degree, which is something only 1/3 of U.S. citizens have. Thirdly, the degree I'm getting is from the second oldest College in the nation and one of the most well-connected in terms of Alumni. While I might not be solving problems and spreading Christ in person in foreign lands, I have been placed in a very rare spot with very rare opportunities. This degree is equipping me to go big for Christ in the time and place he has (very intentionally) put me.

He's got to have some plan for a Theatre major/sociology minor. The great thing about God is that he's the originator of Creativity and Power, so there's really no situation he can't turn for his Kingdom; besides, he planned for this.

Mary Slessor went to Africa, grew to love and be familiar with the people, and helped, healed, saved, and brought Jesus to many just by her powerful example. I yearn to do something similar, but often I must check my motivations. If I yearn to do these things more whatever the Father's will is for my life; if I am disappointed when his plan for me turns out to be to live in a developed country, make and give away lots of money and raise Godly children who also want to change the world, then my desire is just for my narrow definition of adventure and not God's will for my life.

Which, itself, will be the biggest adventure I could hope for if I'm putting God's glory and will first. Like C.S. Lewis said, put first things first and you get all the second things thrown in.

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