I have done this a lot over my adult life. Each year brings growth, whether through joyous times, or painful ones. Each year I've been taught different lessons. Sometimes (most of the time) the hard way. But each year we keep growing. Changing. Evolving. Into something new, different, perfected. There are slower years where you feel like you are just grateful to have made it through. And then there are years when you feel like you are a completely different person than when you started and don't even recognize your old self.
These last two years have seen some of the biggest changes ever for me (us). God has done a mighty work in my (our) heart(s). (Okay, so from now on, I will use the pronoun "us". Because really, God has taken both Mitch and I on identical journeys. And the other way would get annoying.) He has brought us to a place of repentance for a life lived completely selfishly. Chasing a dream that was never meant to be ours in the first place. He has enlightened us to things that we had a blind eye too for way too long. He has brought us redemption and hope by creating new desires in our hearts for things we never even gave a moments thought several years ago.
But, he has also burdened our hearts for our hurting world and will not relinquish us from the thought of it. Everywhere we have turned over the last two years, God has pointed us in the same direction. The impoverished. The hurting. The orphaned.
From books that we've read, to conferences, to sermons, to movies, blogs, events, etc. And God has said the same thing. Over and over and over. "What are you doing? Why did I make you? To further your kingdom with crap? (yes, I am sure He said crap) To pretend like it's okay with me for you to live your life in a safe little bubble and not really care about the hurting? Because if you really cared, then you would be doing something about it. It's time to rise up out of your slumber and get to work. There is too much to be done for you to make excuses anymore." (He went on like that for a while, but I will spare you the details).
So, here we are two years down the road. Still learning. Still trying to figure out exactly what we are supposed to do about all of that. He is continuing to show us things. Every day as a matter of fact.
But, there is one thing He has made clear to me through it all: "wherever I'm calling you to be or whatever I'm calling you to do....bring some peeps with you. As many as you can."
Who, me? Yes, you. Because the harvest is great and the workers are few. Because there is no Plan B in our world. We are it. In small ways or giant ways. It's not an option. It is a mandate. Help the poor, the orphaned, the widows, the homeless, the enslaved. Bring justice to them. THIS is true religion.
I want so badly to wage a war. Right here in Boerne. I want like-minded and like-hearted people to be beside me crying out "Ugh! What can we do to make this better?! What is our role and when can we get started?!" Anyone interested? :)
Is God working on you in similar ways? Do you have a little tiny ember in your heart for the impoverished and don't know whether to blow it out or let it burn the house down? Because in all honesty, blowing it out is much easier. But who wants a dead heart?
Do you have the passion, but need some more information about what you can do to help?
Well...there is an incredible film made by some well-known world ministries (like Compassion, and world hunger fund) called 58:. It shows some really terrible things about the impoverished around the world, but also shows some really amazing things the church is doing about it. It is a life-changing, world-altering movie. You will leave with some pretty unsettling images burned into your brain and an ache in your heart. That is good. That is the Holy Spirit telling you "I have showed you this. Now don't forget it. And do something about it."
What? That sounds like the funnest movie ever, Katie?!! How in the world do I get to see something like that?
Well....it just so happens you're in LUCK! Me and a few on-fire friends of mine are having a screening of this movie for the whole wide world (or just the area of Boerne, to be exact).
It will be this Saturday night at 6pm at Hill Country Crossfit (my new fav place to be...besides my bed of course). We are wanting a packed house! But, would settle for just a select few that God called as well.
HCCF was so gracious to open it's doors to us and will have some snacks and drinks for us during the movie.
Here is our flyer:
Want to check out the film ahead of time? Watch this trailer....
58: THE FILM Trailer from LIVE58NOW on Vimeo.
COME. Watch. Be inspired to do something outside of yourself.
Who knows what the coming year will bring....but I know that when I am in January 2013, I want to be able to say "wow. I only thought I knew you God. Thank you for showing me so much more." Do you want to be able to say the same? God wants to show you something. I promise you won't be sorry.
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