Green Bananas

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to have a calling. Namely, What does it means to use your life to answer a call? To do something or to be sent to somewhere by God? A number of people have commented how wonderful it is that I've been 'called' to Africa. I smiled because I think I know what they meant. But really I'm not sure. If it means to follow your heart then maybe I WAS called to Africa. Either way it has got me thinking a lot about all the truth that lies behind it.

I guess I have always thought there was one path that God has for us, and he gives us the free will to decide to follow it or not. When we stray from the path we learn from it and we get back on. Without turning this into my thoughts on predestination, I'll speak simply on behalf of what I've learned through my experiences leading up to coming here.

This all started back in October when it was merely an idea. A pretty raw and wild one at that. I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly where it came from or why, it just did. I'll argue that we have these types of thoughts quite often. However, they usually get swallowed away quickly by all the excuses we can come up with as why not to follow through. The idea is usually put to rest right then and there. We have logical thoughts that point to the conventional way of life. Then we have creative thoughts that get dubbed dreams, and for some reason are less likely to happen. The world tells us to make logical decisions, not creative ones. Logical thoughts are often the best choices, but not always. Why should we listen to what the world tells us? After all, it has been wrong before.

I think our callings lie in our creative thoughts.

There was one particular weekend where the excuses NOT to come to Africa seemed to far outweigh the reasons I had to go. At least logically. Not many people know this, but I actually e-mailed IVHQ and told them I wasn't coming to Africa and that I'd like my deposit back. They were OK with it, but my heart wasn't. For the rest of the weekend I felt sick, not just in my head but physically, too. And of course the story goes; here I am living happily ever after in Tanzania. That's the best I can explain it. This was just something I had to do.

From what people tell me this is a lot of what it's like to be in Love. You can't explain it, but when you meet that other person you absoluetly have to do whatever you can just to be near them. You do stupid and crazy things for that other person because you Love them. If the world saw, it would certainly call you an outcast and tell you that you are weird. Again, that's just what people tell me. On the outisde, to love something or someone has a different meaning than being IN love with them. At the core, however, I think that there are some similarities, at least in relation to a calling.

Just read 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter that's traditionally read at Christian weddings. It starts by talking about how 'I will show you the most excellent way'. Then it does the whole love is patient love is kind thing, and ends by saying this: "And now these three remain: Faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinth. 13:13) Therefore, the most excellent way is truly characterized by faith, hope, and love. I submit our callings should be driven by faith hope and love, but most greatly by love. I imagine that our calling is 'the most excellent way'.

The world operates like the airlines do. We're suppose to 'fix our oxygen masks before assisting others'. Then again the world says a lot of things that just aren't true.

Today was a big day for me, I think for the FIRST time in my life I felt what it truly means to love your neighbor as yourself. I was walking home from class today with the lady that runs the orphanage. I told her Janet hasn't been in class the past two days. Janet is my favorite, I actually played rock paper scissors with the other volunteer at my placement to see who got first dibs at adopting her. I won (best 2 out of 3 of course). Don't worry I'm not actually going to adopt her, it was just a creative thought.

I asked the teacher if she knew where Janet was. She said Janet was sick and would be back on Monday. After that she looked me in the eye and said that Janet gets sick quite often because she is infected with aids.

I felt like my life stopped for a moment. It was like someone just told me that it was ME that had aids. I realized that, at least at that moment, I loved Janet the same way I love myself. I don't know if I would have had that same experience if I didn't come to Africa. I don't know if I would have experienced that if I didn't say yes to the creative thought I had back in October.

A wise friend told me I wasn't going to serve the kids in Africa but to serve Jesus himself. Another friend told me that when I look at the kids at the orphanage not to be surprised if I saw Jesus. I didn't know what they were talking about until now. It certainly gave me a view of loving God with all my mind, heart, and soul.

I understand that the time between graduating college and getting a big person job is perhaps the easiest time to say yes to your creative thoughts. However, if it's God's will then it's your calling. Put your creative thoughts to the test and see if he doesn't open a door. It isn't a coincidence I felt sick the weekend that I temporarily canceled the trip. It isn't a coincidence that I was $750 short a week before departing, and that through all of you God provided me with $765 at the last minute. He gives you green lights when your on track the same way he'll put up roadblocks if you're not.

Before I came here I was at a Christian conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The MC (a good friend of mine) ended by saying "Drive fast, take chances, see you next year." He was just being funny, but in a way I think that's how life is. Perhaps it's the only way to live out your calling.

"You don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 4: 14-16

Thanks for listening. Drive fast, take chances, and don't buy green bananas.