To be honest I haven't written a blog since being in Africa because I wasn't sure what to write about. I have spent the majority of my time here sustaining my living. If I am being real…it has been incredibly frustrating. There has been a combination of miscommunication, plans falling through, and unfulfilled expectations. I was so excited to get to Africa and to finish this trip strong by loving Gods children. However, I think God has instead been using this time to have me focus on his love for me & my relationship with him.
Many times over the past few months I've been coming to the same radically simple conclusion about my life as a follower of Christ. Love God. Love others.
As a human I over think things often. This happens on this trip especially because I am in an environment with Christians from all over the place with different backgrounds and opinions. Over and over again though I reach the same ending. I believe that life following The Lord is very simple. Now simple is not to be confused with easy. It is NOT easy I can promise you that. The concept when following Christ is simple though. It always boils down to the same few things.
Love God
Love his children (pray, spend time, disciple etc.)
Do it fearlessly.
Sometimes the simplicity of life amazes me. Love God & love others. I don't want to be focused on the small things that lack importance, but rather I want to be focused on The Lord, being obedient to the Holy Spirit, and loving Gods children. When I focus on the two main things everything else falls into place.
I remember having a three hour long conversation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon 2 years ago that still amazes me.
I sat down at a picnic table with Tricia Wang (an awesome high school leader at Seaside Community Church), a good friend Austenn, and a few cups of chai tea. The conversation was sparked by a question from Tricia-
"How do you live a life worthy of Jesus?"
We were confused, tried to clarify, and spent three hours talking just to find an answer. Many people were in and out of the conversation but at the very end we came to the answer…
"Love God & love others".
We went to crazy, complicated, drawn out plans to try and answer a question that was so simple. In Luke 10:26-28 Jesus says that in order to inherit eternal life we must love The Lord and love our neighbors as ourselves. There is also the famous passage of Romans 12 that talks about love. Not to mention the fact that we are currently playing a part in the coolest and biggest love story of all time.
Anyways to conclude this blog I have been spending a lot of time in Africa just trying to do those two things. Genuinely. REALLY love people and The Lord.
It is hard but so awesome. So keep praying for me and that I encounter Gods love in crazier ways each day. Also that he gives me the strength and love to care for his people the way I should.
Thanks!
