Heart change

The other day as I was driving, I felt convicted.  I believe God spoke to me, asking me when I became ashamed of the Gospel.  I’ve spent a great deal of time researching the answers to questions that are not really pertinent to The Conversation that should be going on.  Yes, the Bible’s stand on homosexuality is problematic in our morally relative society.  Yes, the Bible’s stand on women in ministry is problematic in our feminist society.  The teachings of Jesus are problematic in our selfish society. 

People who have a world view that is narrow think that what they believe has to be true…their definitions of compassion and justice are the only ones that matter.  It’s when you travel around the world, not to resorts, but to the places that AAA won’t put on your trip tick, when your worldview expands.  It’s when you talk to, listen to, and read people who think differently than you when your worldview actually becomes more universal. 

Admittedly, I’ve not traveled as extensively as I would like.  I have traveled to England, Mexico and to a few parts of the US.  Of the trips that I’ve taken, my trip to Mexico messed up my insular world view the most.   Something about going to migrant worker camps, seeing the faces of men, women and children living in “houses” that most people wouldn’t consider worthy to be a shed shook me to my core.  Kids who are overjoyed at having their nails painted and popping bubbles puts things in perspective for you…makes you question what is really important.

I have no doubt in my mind that within the next few years, I’ll be able to say that my feet have touched the soil of every continent, with the exception of Anarctica.  My prayer, my hope is that God will use me as an agent of good for communities and countries that many of us don’t know exist.  Maybe God will use me to help eradicate the trafficking of people; maybe he’ll use me to help end poverty and set up microbusinesses; maybe he’ll use me to be a voice for the voiceless, hope for the hopeless. 

I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know this.  Today, I reclaim my voice.  No longer will I be a moral relativist.  Never in my life have I treaded my life in the grey areas.  One woman told me that I am a black and white person–things are right or they are wrong.  I’ve sold myself out.  But today I give myself. Wholeheartedly.