It’s a BIG World
When kids are young, their whole world revolves around what they see, smell, taste, touch, and hear. They cannot fathom a world bigger than their own surroundings and experiences. Psychologists describe that as “ego-centric” thinking. It’s natural for children to think, “It’s all about me.” As we mature, our vision grows to see more than ourselves, and we begin to appreciate and pursue things other than ourselves. If we don’t, if we do not grow beyond ourselves, we live in a mindset called narcissism. It’s an ugly-sounding word because it creates a caustic life.
I mention this because our church must have a greater vision than just “what’s in it for us.” The only way that growth happens is when we realize and embrace the reality that other people matter to God as much as we do. That’s why we seek to live as “hosts” and serve other people. We’re not trying to earn approval in that effort; we’re trying to LOVE WELL.
This weekend, we’re hosting a “big world” event on our campus. Our missions fair will feature 23 different partnerships our church family supports, serves, prays for, volunteers for, and sees as strategic investments in God’s call on our lives. Some will be people you never knew about. The Agundes family directs an orphanage in Mexico, and they “parent” a couple of dozen children who would have no hope of survival and flourishing without the care they receive there. Doug Cassidy directs Synergy Missions, a coordinating mission group that reaches Europeans through sports camps that feel more like a “Summer Blast” or “Winshape Camp” in other countries. Dena Petty leads Mentors Care, a program that matches adult mentors with at-risk teens in local high schools. Jennifer Salzman directs The Heights, a ministry for helping families recover when they have endured abuse.
Some are at our back door; others are focused on needs so far from here that by the time you reach them by plane, you have started BACK around the globe for home! So, what’s the purpose of this gathering in our atrium this Sunday?
- Meet the people that your mission dollars are supporting. They would love for you to know what you’re giving to and praying for.
- Look for opportunities to use your giftings to help them fulfill their mission. You may not be able to go to the tip of Sumatra, but you can probably imagine volunteering with foster families, helping a woman learn to operate Microsoft Word, helping a young father learn English, or giving to make the scripture available in another language in Asia.
- Look for possible ways for your group to adopt one of these ministries. This would allow you to serve together and learn to pray for someone in need.
Sometimes, we need to hear the stories from outside our normal routine to envision what God wants to do in us and through us. So come and enjoy the missions fair. Listen. Meet some precious friends. Ask God to show you something He wants you to see. And prayerfully allow Him to reshape your perspective on the life you lead now. Who knows. . .this weekend really could be life-altering for you!