no guarantees

I am learning lately that there are no guarantees. Obviously the recent changes in economy have heightened all of our senses to this, but the truth is – good economy or bad, the guarantees were never there. This isn’t something that should discourage us, but simply serve as a reminder.

I repeatedly seem to place my hope in the blessings of this life. Maybe I take them for granted so often that I assume things will always be fine, maybe I expect them, or even think I deserve them. But blessings are just that – a favor, a gift, an act of mercy, but not a guarantee.

And then there are the blessings we still hope for. We have all dreamt of what life would look like when we “grew up” – maybe a family, a career, a location, a lifestyle, etc. So what about when these dreams of ours don’t come true? What then? Do we keep dreaming, do we give up? For me I am slowly learning that there are no promises anywhere that guarantee any of these things, not even the Bible.

There is nothing wrong with hoping or praying for God’s blessings, we would be silly not to. But to assume or count on them for our happiness is walking on some dangerous ground. I’ve spent so much time looking back and wondering why and even more time looking forward anxiously wondering “what?” is going to happen or “is it?” going to happen, that I seem to keep missing what is here and now.

I am slowly working on accepting what God has for me now. Trusting that He is enough. And trusting that if I don’t ever receive one more blessing that I have hoped or prayed for, that He will STILL be enough. It’s the only guarantee I’ve got, but it’s a good one ;)

Why Africa?

Great question :) I thought I should take a minute to write about missions, especially considering I just emailed almost everyone I know asking them to support my upcoming trip to South Africa. Of course, there is more than just one reason, but I'll start with this...

Why ask people to give you money to travel to another country to help people? There are plenty of people here who need help – physically, spiritually, financially. Especially now. I won’t argue with that. There are a lot of wonderful organizations that help support those in need in America and I’m thankful for the people who are dedicated to these organizations. But let me share a little bit about why Africa is so important to me.

I feel a burden for Africa. I can’t quite explain it, but after spending just one day there two years ago, something changed in me and for some reason it’s impossible for me not to “do something” about it.

I don’t deny the fact that there are people in America in need. I know a lot of people, people who are very close to me, who are without a job right now. And it’s heart breaking. But everyone in America has this thing called “opportunity”. No job? You can collect unemployment. Hurt? You have access to healthcare (whether you have insurance or not). Can’t afford food? Sign up for a program. Living on the street? Visit a shelter. Hungry? Visit a soup kitchen. Want your children to learn? Send them to school. Want to further your education? Take out a student loan. I think you get my point.

We take these opportunities for granted and too often forget that there are millions of people who don’t get these “opportunities”, and that’s why I want to serve them. I want them to know that the fact that people are literally dying because there are no doctors, or starving to death because there is no food, or spending 2 or 3 hours of their day walking just to get to clean water… I want them to know that “that is not ok with me”. There is nothing in our country or our culture that points to the fact that those things are not ok with us.

But what good does a short term trip do really? They seem to impact the people who go more than the people overseas. And that’s true. Also, another reason why the trips are important to me (we’ll save that for another time). But you have to start somewhere. You have to start by showing up. By encouraging. By saying without words, I’m willing to travel half way around the world just to show you that I care. And the people who need to see that the most are the children. They don’t need rich Americans showing up with new clothes and toys. They need rich Americans showing up and loving them. Teaching them that love exists and that there is purpose in this life.

I believe the only way to save Africa from the hell and suffering that has taken place there for so many years is to raise up a generation of honest and compassionate leaders and to get them into government positions where they can change their own countries. Where they can get rid of the government corruption. They need to know this is possible. They need to know there is hope. And the only way for them to see this is to walk along side them and show them you support them.

And none of this is meant to make anyone feel guilty, but to feel grateful. If we all sold everything we had and moved to Africa, it wouldn't do anyone any good. But we need to realize that the reason we have more than we need is so we can help others IN need.

So, I’m starting a blog…

It’s not that I think the whole world needs to hear what I have to say, in fact the only people who will probably read this are Heidi and my mom. But I enjoy writing. I don’t do it enough. And I’m hoping in some way it will hold me accountable to things like “reflection” and “being still”.

There’s a little pressure here. What do I write about? Almost too much to choose from. Africa, singleness, time, circumstances, hope, careers, missions, purpose, joy.

Something I’ve been boldly reminded of recently is “hope”. And that it’s not based on circumstance or actions, but on the character of God. Now, I will admit, I didn’t come up with all of this all on my own, but it’s been resonating with me so I feel the need to share…

Today I was reminded that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him”.

It’s hard to believe that when things aren’t going our way. It’s hard to believe that when we don’t have a job. When we feel like we might be single forever. When someone gets sick and doesn’t get better. When children are orphaned by aids. The list goes on.

Yet there IS hope, there has to be. Especially in the part about “all things”. That means, the good and the bad things right? This is great news. It takes a lot of pressure off. Gets rid of worry (or at least some of it). Even when life seems uncertain, we know that God is not. We can’t really ask for more than that. Truth is, we don’t want a God who gives us everything we want. We want, we need, a God who is sovereign. We need a God who can offer healing and hope when we (and our world) is broken, not simply ensure that things will always go our way.

And I’m not saying that God creates problems and trouble so that we are forced to rely on him. Let’s face it, most of the time, we create our own problems and our own trouble. We forget about God and then when things get bad, we wonder where he is. We complain that life isn’t fair. Well, life isn’t fair. Fair ended in the Garden of Eden.

But thank goodness for hope. It may not get us a job, or heal us, or get rid of poverty. But I can’t imagine life without it.