Time and Place and Life
Another Day Along the Way
Friday, June 01, 2007
Another day,
We boarded a plane on May 15. As twenty students, faculty, and staff flew from Atlanta to London, time flew faster. Five hours came up missing. An eight hour flight convinced the clock that we had been in the air for thirteen.
While in a land new to us, much more changed than just the time. Hoping to bring change through music, drama, testimonies, sermons, prayer, invitations, meals, visitations, interviews, discussions, church services, and acts of kindness, God chose to do more than allow us the honor of being among those bringing change. He picked us to be among those being changed.
Isn't that God's tricky plan when we seek to serve others? Away from home, out of our comfort zones, and desiring to encourage people as we meet them for the first time, we meet God. He informs us about true home. He teaches us how to let Him be our actual Comfort Zone. He encourages us to meet Him anew. Away from the home of ourselves and our addictions, we can do that - we can meet God.
Fifteen days with friends thrilled me. Building relationships with strangers fascinated me. Observing teamwork excited me. Staring at green land, mountains, water, rabbits, sheep, cities, towns, clouds, rain, trains, and streets amazed me. Communicating beliefs to those who seek to live without truth motivated me. Realizing God chooses to show His truth through sinners humbled me.
Meeting God changed me.
Church services on the trip? Orthodox, traditional, contemporary, ancient, new, energetic, experiential, calm, exciting. Walks? Long, long, long walks. Rides? Into London, through London, from London to Scotland, in cars, on trains, through hills, on very small streets. Prayers? Walking, talking, whispering, confessing, requesting. Worship? Stillness, celebrations, awe. Friendships? Time together in a land so new, so fresh, so real.
We boarded a plane to return from Scotland on May 30. During that westward dance through clouds, time stopped. Five hours waited and waited and waited before time began again. I thought, "Haven't we all wanted a little more time?"
The mission trip taught us about time. Not wasting it. Choosing to use it wisely and in new ways. Living through time for God. Not for ourselves.
So, whatever time and place, let us receive God's grace. During long walks, rainy days, or flight delays. During lovely sunlight, an early sunrise, or times when luggage feels too heavy to carry one more step, let us carry on. Let us experience God. The greatest way to do so is by serving others. At home, in the neighborhood, or five time zones away.
I think, "Don't we all need a little more time spent like that?"
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: The key is the try to be an agent of transformation, rather than being complacent.
(Seeking the Face of God, Gary L. Thomas)
Friday, June 01, 2007
Another day,
We boarded a plane on May 15. As twenty students, faculty, and staff flew from Atlanta to London, time flew faster. Five hours came up missing. An eight hour flight convinced the clock that we had been in the air for thirteen.
While in a land new to us, much more changed than just the time. Hoping to bring change through music, drama, testimonies, sermons, prayer, invitations, meals, visitations, interviews, discussions, church services, and acts of kindness, God chose to do more than allow us the honor of being among those bringing change. He picked us to be among those being changed.
Isn't that God's tricky plan when we seek to serve others? Away from home, out of our comfort zones, and desiring to encourage people as we meet them for the first time, we meet God. He informs us about true home. He teaches us how to let Him be our actual Comfort Zone. He encourages us to meet Him anew. Away from the home of ourselves and our addictions, we can do that - we can meet God.
Fifteen days with friends thrilled me. Building relationships with strangers fascinated me. Observing teamwork excited me. Staring at green land, mountains, water, rabbits, sheep, cities, towns, clouds, rain, trains, and streets amazed me. Communicating beliefs to those who seek to live without truth motivated me. Realizing God chooses to show His truth through sinners humbled me.
Meeting God changed me.
Church services on the trip? Orthodox, traditional, contemporary, ancient, new, energetic, experiential, calm, exciting. Walks? Long, long, long walks. Rides? Into London, through London, from London to Scotland, in cars, on trains, through hills, on very small streets. Prayers? Walking, talking, whispering, confessing, requesting. Worship? Stillness, celebrations, awe. Friendships? Time together in a land so new, so fresh, so real.
We boarded a plane to return from Scotland on May 30. During that westward dance through clouds, time stopped. Five hours waited and waited and waited before time began again. I thought, "Haven't we all wanted a little more time?"
The mission trip taught us about time. Not wasting it. Choosing to use it wisely and in new ways. Living through time for God. Not for ourselves.
So, whatever time and place, let us receive God's grace. During long walks, rainy days, or flight delays. During lovely sunlight, an early sunrise, or times when luggage feels too heavy to carry one more step, let us carry on. Let us experience God. The greatest way to do so is by serving others. At home, in the neighborhood, or five time zones away.
I think, "Don't we all need a little more time spent like that?"
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: The key is the try to be an agent of transformation, rather than being complacent.
(Seeking the Face of God, Gary L. Thomas)
11 Comments:
Glad you had a good time. Even more glad you are back.
Welcome home, world traveler. Did you take pictures?
Janice
Glad you're back...I'm still jealous!
Heard about your trip during a long phone conversation with Harold Presley the other day. I love London, and I'm glad you had a good time!
Barry Nall
As one who went with Pastor Chris, I am amazed at the great way he described our missions trip. Wow, we did all that and more, we recieved so much ourselves, and the experiences are somewhat beyond describing. Every person should experience a mission trip where they allow God to work in and through them.
Thanks for those words.
Some of the students told me about the prayer walks. That is so good.
We will send you pictures soon.
The London Mission Trip was awesome. It was truly a blessing as well. We met all kinds of poeple from many different ethnic groups. We were in a different place where people talked different, they drove different, and they didn't like air condition. But when all was said and done, we were able to adjust and overcome in order to complete the work that God laid out for us to do.
You described the trip perfectly. I believe we all were changed in unique ways because we went. I know I was. I was blessed to travel with such a wonderful group of genuine servants.
I really like the way you write. I wonder how you are...and this is a good way to see. God is Amazing.
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