I woke up late this morning. So late in fact, that I almost decided to skip church because I knew there was no way I would make it on time...or really even close to on time. Thankfully, the cops were not out this morning and I made it only 20 minutes after the official start time. Just in time for the sermon, really.

I was surprised to see one of the CIU profs speaking this morning as I guess our pastor is on vacation this week. But when I looked at the bulletin, I knew it was going to be good. He was talking on missions, my passion. I thought smugly to myself, "Ah yes, this will be great for the people in this church to hear..." Wow, I got humbled real quick as God landed on me with full force through this presentation of a lot of facts and graphs...and challenged me with several items in my own life that I have been wrestling with.

Item number one for me...I need to live a life of sacrifice if there is ever going to be change in this world. I was deeply saddened to find that it takes about 2500 people for one missionary in the US to be sent out. Also, only 1 out of every 100 Christians in America is involved in missions...not just in the going, but the giving and praying as well. Just yesterday I was complaining to my mom that I want to have my space in my new place in Iowa, so I am looking for a duplex or even a house...I said, "no more apartments". This morning when I left church, I realized that it would be more efficient for me to get a cheaper place (such as an apartment)...it is a small sacrifice to make in light of millions of people dying without the eternal life that can only be found through Jesus Christ.

If I may, a little vulnerability...since being back in America, I have found myself slipping more and more into a comfortable lifestyle. I'm not a real materialistic person, but there are small things that I like to have and things that I like to go do...and God challenged me this morning that I need to make sacrifices more so than I do now. Hear what I am not saying: I am not saying that it is bad to enjoy or even necessarily have "things"...God gives us good gifts...but it is how we view and hold onto those gifts that is vital. Am I willing to give up these things and live a life of simplicity so that others can have a chance to hear about Jesus? Because in the end, that's all that is going to matter. And that is how we, as followers of Christ, are called to see things; in light of the end - in light of eternity.

Item number two for me... As any of you who know me know, I struggle a lot with being single. All my life I have wanted to be a wife and a mom...and though I came close to being a wife, God has not allowed that to be in my life. This morning, it was shared that within unreached people groups are three unreached people groups: children (particularly 4-14 years old), women, and refugees. The speaker said that if he had it to do over again, he would go back, get trained to do children's ministry and then go out and use that. And I sat there thinking to myself, "I have been trained to do this very thing...I have been trained in reaching children, I have had experience in discipling women, and I have a soft spot in my heart for refugees/poor people." And then it hit me...maybe I am single for a reason. Maybe I am single so that I can go to a place like the Sudan and do ministry among the women and children refugees who have been through so much...because as he pointed out this morning, when you have been uprooted in this way, you tend to be more receiving of Jesus and His grace. I don't know God's plan for my life and I would never claim such a thing...but it just hit me that this could very well be the method behind His seeming madness. If I had a family, I wouldn't be so willing to go to such a place and possibly give my life. As a single, I have no ties and little hesitation in doing such a thing. And granted, things can change, maybe I'll find that special guy and get married...but even then, God has a plan. I just learned that even this plan would be a good one...God would use it and my passions. So it put me at ease...it's fine either way.

Item number three for me... What I pray for will change the shape of my heart. When I pray for just for those in my small world, then my heart also stays small. But when I ask God for the nations as well, not only will my heart change, but it will also beat with His because as you read the Bible, from cover to cover, you will find that God's heart is for the nations; for every people group in the world. Not only my prayers, but also my money...if I put my money toward something, chances are, I'm going to pray for that thing. Everything I have is God's anyway...why not invest it as God would and trust that He'll take care of me?

So there you go...those were my challenges this morning. Now, if you are still reading...I am giving you permission that if you ever see me living off track from what I have written here to call me on it. If you see me getting comfortable and living with no vision, tell me. I know my humanity and I know how easy it is for me to get distracted...so I need people to help me along. Thanks.