Recently I have been very passionate about missions. God has been daily impacting my life and pressing on me a desire to serve people. My heart yearns to become a member of a separate culture and society (Africa and India specifically). Even though blood is truly my biggest fear...I am considering getting a health/first aid certificate or degree because the need for health care is so great throughout the world. I don't fear for my life or my wellbeing. God is so much bigger than me and He is at work. My life is simply equal to the rising and setting of the sun...in the grand picture it isn't going to be very long. I trust that God will keep His promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 where He says: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." I don't fear death. I honestly fear going through life and never following my passions...never submitting to my calling.
The more I talk to people I hear that missions is a passion God is spreading in the hearts of many. I had a conversation with Travis tonight about his calling and his passions. That guy is going to do great things...I know it. Michelle and I are talking about going together in a few years. Jakob has expressed to me his passions as well.
The way I see it...generosity isn't just a money thing. 1 Timothy 6:7 says "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." Also in Luke 12:13-21 Jesus tells a parable of a man who had much but kept it to himself then died and his wealth went to waste. We feel like we deserve what we have because we've worked hard for it...but God has given us every blessing...He even gave us the breath, strength, and will to work hard for the things He's blessed us with. I'd consider every single breath a blessing from the Lord. He has the power to give and take away. I think we can be selfish not only with our money but also with our lives. I don't want to be selfish with my life...I want to use my life to serve people and I just so happen to feel called to serve people in specific locations. You could feel compelled to serve people in your home town...and honestly I think that's the best place to start!
I don't want to watch my fear become a reality as I sit on my butt and do nothing to follow my passions. I want to get there one day...whatever it takes. Jesus Christ came and died to save us all...every human being that has ever walked the face of this earth. Why? Because He loves us all...He loves us so much that He would rather go through hell then go to heaven without us. In the same way that a child will never love their parent as much as a parent loves a child--I don't believe we will ever fully comprehend God's love for us because we aren't capable of loving like He does. I just want to let His love flow into my life...and overflow onto people I encounter. That's my passion...that's essentially what it all comes down to.