Perspective

These last few months have been absolutely exhausting. Working full time, volunteering, preparing for Africa, and working in the college ministry at my church are just a few of the things that have kept me busy. This past weekend I had really begun to lose sight of WHY I was doing all of these things and had gotten caught up in just how busy I've been. It took a conversation with a child to help me remember.

I was babysitting for two sweet girls ages 9 and 6. They had asked me tons of questions about Africa the whole night. Then one of them asked why I was going. Instead of answering, I responded, "Why do you think I'm going?" Her response? "Well actually, I know why you're going. It's because the kids in Africa need you to tell them about Jesus so we can all be together in heaven one day." Such a simple answer, yet she got it exactly right. That's the reason. The only reason.

I get this question a lot these days, but my answer is never so simple. It always involves an explanation of the worldwide orphan crisis, the AIDS pandemic in Africa and Eastern Europe, the rampant political corruption that allows these problems to continue, the list goes on... My answer includes Jesus too, but it's not all that people hear. But it needs too be all. I want it to be.

The truth is, I'm not going because the orphans need me to bring them food, water, and clothing. I will help them with those things, but the thing they need most is Jesus. It's the thing we all need most.

It took a child's simple comment to remind me of that.

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12