The past month I have been asked the same question over and over again: "What's happening next?" I would shrug my shoulders and say: "I don’t know yet, I’ll probably know when the “next” comes.” Well the “next” came. God said “Go!” And so I’ll go. But in the midst of this I pondered on what it means to go. Does it truly always mean a state of moving or going somewhere or does it have some hidden meaning we’re not seeing. The dictionary defines it this way: ‘Go is to move from one place to another,’ or another which says ‘A person’s turn to use or do something.’ I like the second definition. Go means to do something. Isn’t it beautiful? When Jesus calls us to go, He is telling us that it is our turn to use what He gives us and do something with it.
Here He came in all His splendor and showed me that it is my time to do something. It is our time to do something. From Africa to the Middle-East to Asia, 8 months, 246 days. 21 People that I am going share the beauty of the nations with. What a privilege. My very own community. Going then doesn’t just mean doing something but also being part of something. We are made in the image of a God who is community, a plurality of oneness. The Biblical story is the story of community, from the beginning to end. Jesus modeled it with His disciples. He always sent them out in pairs, it’s the story of a people who were together and were of one heart and mind, sharing all in common. Community prompts us to choose ourselves over others, to choose independence over interdependence, to choose great things over small things, to choose to go fast on your own or going far together.
Jesus has given me a space to live and breathe in the wild open spaces He has for me. Not alone or in my own strength but in community with others. We can be part of the going, part of the doing something in so many bigger ways when we do it with others. I believe finding your community and being with them makes living out your vocation Jesus placed on your life easier, because they help you carry the load.
So here’s to the “next”. May it be full of wonder and awe of the One who gave it all freely, withholding nothing.
Till next time.