Life Changer

I know it's been way too long since I've blogged. The last week has been pretty crazy with a lot going on at work, home and church. The church stuff is what I really want to talk about.

Last night, our church finished its annual missions conference with missionaries from all around the world descending on Spartanburg to share with us their lives, ministries and vision. It's always a life-changing experience for me. Doesn't it seem funny to say that? That I have a life-changing experience once a year? Shouldn't life-changing experiences be permanent and on-going?

But I guess that's the problem that I have. Maybe you do, too. We go through something like a missions conference (or any conference), mission trip, retreat, revival, Bible Study, discipleship class, camp meeting, or anything of the sort, and suddenly, our lives are never going to be same. We've been changed forever.

I know there's such a thing as renewal and recharging, and there's nothing wrong with that. But why can't I stick with those promises of "things are going to be different," "I'm going to do more," "I'm really and truly surrendering all to God?" And it's not usually something really difficult to do, like quitting my job to go into full-time missions or writing a book or giving half my salary to the less fortunate. It's simple things like being a better witness at work or talking to somebody I know about Jesus or being more devoted to my quiet time.

Why do we make it more difficult than it really is? Why don't those amazing experiences really change our lives? Why do we have to do it all over again the next time that conference, class, meeting, revival, or retreat comes around? There's always room for growth, but there's a difference between continuing to grow and having to start from scratch again.

I made a few commitments this past weekend. I made a financial commitment (which I do every year). I made a commitment to go on a short-term trip (which I've done several times). I made a commitment to be a better missionary right where I am (which I fail at horribly). I made a commitment to spend more time with the Lord (which can always be better). When I feel like I want to back out of those commitments or be slack concerning them, I'll remember the couple with four children who have twins on the way in a high risk pregnancy. I'll remember the lady who has not one, but two brain tumors and continues to serve on the mission field in a foreign land. I'll remember the couple who have to leave their first grandchild behind to go back overseas. I'll remember the lady who spent months held captive by terrorists and ended up losing her husband on the mission field. I'll remember the man who said, "I'm not sure where God is going to take me this time, but I'm ready to go." I'll remember those who sacrifice everything - jobs, homes, relationships, comfort - to fulfill a commission that Jesus gave to all of us.

In comparison, a few more minutes in God's Word or a conversation with a co-worker pales. Maybe next year when the missions conference rolls around, I'll be able to look inside of myself and know that I did something in the last year. Maybe I can add growth instead of starting from the ground up. Maybe I can still be on fire instead of having to re-light. Maybe instead of having yet another life-changing experience, I will have helped somebody else have a life-changing experience of their own.