I hate fads. If people begin to read a book and it becomes popular, I won't want to read it. If everyone begins to like a certain band, I stop. I wanted my nose pierced and when I found out many others did too, I found myself wanting to take my piercing out. When I began realizing many people were wearing chacos/tevas, I instantly found myself wearing mine less. I don't want to fit into a nice 'christian' mold. I don't want to be seen as stereotypical, or as belonging to a fad-- something that lasts for a season and then fades away. As overseas missions becomes more popular, I begin to evaluate my reasons for coming overseas. Am I truly doing over here for Christ or am I here for something else to put on my 'spiritual resume', am I here because I want to live vicariously through others' faith? What am I doing here?

The past three summers I have spent overseas, and I've only been given those opportunities because Christ allowed it, but every year, even this one I learn more and more that regardless of where i live, we're all called. We are all called to reach the lost, we are all called to build relationships. The harvest is ready. Sometimes, we fail to see what God is doing because our hearts are hardened. We don't see people the way Christ sees them. We don't see people for who they are-- that they too, have hurts and joys and longings just as each of us do. That their souls are crying out. God sees every person. He knows every person, he cries over each and every soul. His ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He knows us, better than we even know ourselves.

I'm tired of hearing believers who feel called overseas saying they can't stand the United States. I'm tired of believers who are in the United States not supporting foreign missions. And I'm definitely not saying that all Christians fall into one of those two categories but what I am saying is that I'm TIRED of all the crap. If we truly believe, if we really are seeking Christ we will see that Christ is calling us to reach out to those who are hungry, to those who are weak. To those who are desperate to know him. AND YES even to those who don't appear to be any of those. He not only calls us to the good soil but to the rough places and hard soil as well. He tells us to GO and speak his name. We're called to pour over souls and areas with prayer. We're called to share him, we're called to build relationships with others where they are at. We aren't called to turn people into projects, and we're also not called to live a content life of me-o logy. We're called to pursue love, and to eagerly desire Christ and his word (1 Corinthians).

Today as C-dawg spoke through tears he said "Men aren't stepping up, they are giving up." Are we giving up? Do we realize what "God's will" is? Following Christ means living as he lived, loving people the way he did and telling people about the God that is much much bigger than they or we are.... and the love he offers. Christ calls us to ASK for the nations. Is that truly the cry of our hearts? Is that truly the cry of my heart? In John 6, many disciples turn away from Christ and his teachings, because they realize it's hard stuff. It's beyond grasp, and to the world it's unreasonable and unfathomable. Christ turns to the 12 and asks, "Do you want to go away as well?" I love Peter's response. "Where, Lord, would we go?" They had seen and tasted of truth, he was and is undeniable. Where else would we go?

I'm called to the nations. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm called overseas (although if i am, I'll definitely take that), but it means that as a believer I am called to all people. And just as Paul, I strive to be all things to all people so that they may know the God I serve. I have no idea where my life will lead me, but I do know that wherever I am, i hope that I abide in Christ daily, I hope that I remember to put on the full armor of God daily, and can continually realize when i have parts of it off. I hope that in the seasons of my life when I feel far from God that I will cry in the night just as David did that he would restore to me the joy of my salvation.

We're all called.

Today S, a local believer looked at me, Steph and Shan before we went prayer walking and said, I can tell in your eyes you 3 have the armor on, and we're going in {to battle}. Father is doing HUGE huge HUGE things in the city of Hamburg, and he's only using me for a teensy teensy fraction of it. But I long to seek Christ, and I long to labor. The enemy constantly tells me i'm unworthy and that i'm incapable, and undesired not only by those around me but even by Christ, but i'm tired of believing those lies, and I want to strive to stand firm. To strengthen my weak knees and lift my drooping hands. I want to stop being distracted by the things OF Christ such as programs and 'missions,' but I want to look full in his face, unveiled. And my prayer is that you would join (because not only is Christ calling you but I need help being kept accountable) Just as Jesus told the disciples in John 4 -- do you not say 4 more months until the harvest? Look up. The harvest is here.

So, are you ready to wage war?