Mrs. Homeschool

This week, my husband was on the phone with one of his cousins who shared that, in his wife’s 8th month of pregnancy, he is going to go on a mission trip to Morocco to hike in the mountains there to share the Gospel message with Muslims living in those remote villages.

He told my husband that everybody he’s told this to thinks he’s crazy.  He’s going to miss his little girl’s 2nd birthday.  His wife will be “great with child” at the time.  He’s going to a part of the world he has NO familiarity with and doesn’t speak the language.

So what did MY husband say?  He told him we’re excited for him and will be praying with them!

Five years ago, this guy was the definition of rough.  Rough exterior.  Rough language.  Rough attitude.  Just. Plain. Rough.

And then…God starting working on his heart and drew him close.  His life was changed, much like those stories you read in Christian books and magazines.  He was baptized, goes to church regularly, plays in the church band.  But God seems to keep tapping him (and his wife) on the shoulder to say, “You know what?  I have MORE for you.”

And I’m not talking about wealth.  This guy who used to be someone I’d have been afraid to meet up with in a dark alley, if I didn’t know him, has realized that being a “Sunday Morning Christian” is NOT what true Christianity is about.  It’s not about looking good at church or doing “good things” to make himself feel better.  It’s about listening to the Lord and obeying.

So, when he heard about an opportunity to live out the Gospel and take the message of God’s HOPE to people who may have never been reached, he responded.

Where do you belong?  Is it in a nice and cozy house, in a church that doesn’t preach stuff that makes you feel uncomfortable or think too much, in a neighborhood where people all look and dress and talk just like you?  Is it in a tight circle of friends that are all Believers in the One True God, making sure those “others” are a safe, arm’s length distance away?

Our family’s move to Florida has been a very interesting one because it’s giving us a chance to see new faces from an outsider’s point of view.  I’ve heard lots of things being shared by people who don’t know me from Adam about sheltering our children, being part of a Christian homeschool group, etc.  Yes, I want to be part of a Christian homeschool group, but shouldn’t I be living my faith and sharing God’s message with those that don’t know Him?

(Now, I will caveat all this by saying that I believe it is VITAL for any Christian to stay involved in a local church that uses the Bible as the basis for all it’s teaching.  I am not advocating being an “island church” of just our family when there are a multitude of sound churches nearby.  I also have to look to Christ and know He spent much of His life LOVING those who were not yet Believers in Him.)

The challenge we’re already facing is that, as we seek to find ministry opportunites here, doors already seem to be closing on us.  We want to help with a small ESL (English as a Second Language) group, but because we have 5 children that need childcare, one of the leaders was less than thrilled with us bringing them along.

God has been sending our family a very clear message, like my husband’s cousing…”I have MORE for you.”  God is stretching us and seems to be pulling us towards walking away from, not towards, all that we find comfort in.  Even though He provided an AMAZING home for us, we still feel drawn to pare down, eliminate stuff, make our businesses more mobile than they are and be ready for the next leg of the trip we call life.

Where do we belong?  It’s here in FL for now, but like pilgrims on a journey, we’re preparing our hearts and lives for a call to pick up and start walking again.  Destination: Unknown.

And why, may I ask, is it SO hard for people to imagine embarking on a journey with no destination in mind?  Especially Christians?  Did Noah know what God had in mind for him when he started building that ark?  Did Abraham know how his life would end up after God told Him to pack up his family and follow Him?  Did the Disciples REALLY know what Jesus was saying when he asked them to follow Him?  Nope.  Nope.  And Nope.

I’m asking you, perhaps prompting you, to look at life from a new angle.  I’m not saying God is calling everyone to go to Morrocco, but as far as I can tell, when Jesus changes your heart, He tells you to do something: Tell others.

Not just “tell your children” or “tell your spouse” either.  Matthew 28:19 (CEV) says: “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,”   I am no Biblical scholar, but I don’t see any exceptions in there.

What do you think?  Are your family’s roots planted so deeply that you’re almost unable (or unwilling) to take a step on a new path?  Share your thoughts and comments below!