Airports, a place where kids run around at arrivals, a place of warm embrace, sad goodbyes and people working to keep it clean and ordered. (Let this represent the earth and our every day lives.)
In between you might find, what we like to call, a Global Challenge team. A group of young people taking over a deserted part of the airport - usually a corner, close to a bathroom and drinking fountain - to call home for a couple of days. (See this as taking that interesting year journey)
Personally, I love it.
Airports have so much room and different things to look at and discover. Although not all airports have this much space and they are to expensive to even consider. I guess it also comes from having a positive background to the the whole 'airport' experience. My family would go and welcome back my dad numerous times as he would return home from working in other countries, later my brother also started making use of airports, as he based in London, also for work. (I come from a family that loves God and follows Jesus) It would always be a hopeful goodbye or exciting welcome back wait.
Going to the airport always felt like going on an little road trip - to a change in life. Either it would to take away or give back. (There is definitely a element in humans to find purpose in life.)
I realized that we wont be able to change and have an positive impact on other people around us if we are not challenged to different circumstances - all this in the light of being Jesus' student. Staying in your cocoon doesn't help you to grow, after all, even a worm has to break open the cocoon to be a beautiful butterfly. Ultimately its your choice to submit to the One who is already in control, so that you may grow and be strengthened through Christ in you that will make you able to discover a whole new you as you are transformed form the inside - out. Notice how 'inside' is first then followed by 'out'.
I would have not said this if I did not hear it from people around me, testifying that I am a different person. But, I am a new person. From the inside out. I didn't really know what I was saying when I completed the paper work for my application to join Global 2013. The question, I think, was something like; 'Why do you want to do this?' Or 'What do you expect from this year?'
I can only remember my answer being: 'I want to know a world different from the one at home.'
At that time I wanted to break away from home and do something unknown to me. Because 'home' was safety and knowing what will happen.
I now love not always knowing what will happen and that comfort is not first priority.
I smile as I type this, because I know about 6 months ago, I would not have been able to say all this below.
I love to read now. I want to meet new people and build relationships worthy and giving glory to God.
I've broken through a cocoon. But I only see a ray of light. I know in my heart thats its only the beginning and I can't wait to see how God reveals to me, who He made me to be, for Him. His Glory. Thats the purpose. God.
As I stare down at the people arriving and departing. "Blue Danube" plays into my eardrums. Everyone on their way. I just know, that each person would leave here with so much more hope if they knew that life outside the cocoon is more than breathable. It's alive.
A year like this changes you.
Don't be afraid but rather take with the sword of spirit, which is the Word, and see if you cant pierce the cocoon even more. Eph 6:10-20