Being Prepared For A Purpose

There's no place like home. Being half way around the world for a couple of weeks reminds a person of that. Home was in good hands while I was gone.

Jan's had a busy week preparing the cabin for guests. Thursday evening the Iowa Barnstormers football team visited. The county cattlemen grilled steaks for them.

After supper John, the general manager, and Mike, the head coach, presented us with an autographed picture of the team playing in Wells Fargo Arena, their home field.

The team is currently preparing for the 2013 season with 35 players. They will be cut to 24 players soon. 8 players are on the field during a game in arena football.

Did you remember to turn your clocks forward? Supposedly we do it to save energy. Interestingly in Africa I never knew what time it was and neither did most of the country. The educated folks in Africa say there are two kinds of time, military time and Africa time. Military time is punctual  and Africa time is whenever you get there.

So what's the purpose of spending a couple of weeks in Malawi and did I accomplish my purpose? Originally I was going to spend time with my sister. However as many of you know she came home for our brothers funeral. As you can see I bought some souvenirs from some hungry vendors but they are probably not things I'll use everyday. I financially helped some folks I wanted to help but mailing them the money would have been more efficient.

I went to the villages to encourage the farmers but cultures and traditions are slow to change. Yes, those were goals that were accomplished but I think more than all that going to Africa allows me to see a bigger picture.

So often I'm so busy in my own little corner of the world. If my African friends could see me running around trying to make a living they would laugh and say, "it looks like he's trying to kill snakes".

Of course we have a responsibility to make a plan, work hard, and provide for our families. However I think God's plan for us can be so much bigger than that if we see the opportunities.  

When family, friends, co-workers, or folks in Africa are around us they should first see the light of Christ shining in our lives and who we are and what we do should be there but in the background. 

 That light of Christ folks see in us is is actually a loving heart, giving hands, and serving feet. That's what it means to be made in the image of God. If we have that we will love our spouses unconditionally. We will pray for our kids and their kids every day. And we will go to those who are less fortunate and share our time, talents, and treasures. 

 You can give folks a Bible. You can even take them to church. But people won't get it until you go and show them Christ's love by example. And once they get it, they want it. That's the Holy Spirit working in them, preparing them. 

 In my life farming is a means that I absolutely love, that Christ uses, to allow me and prepare me for bigger purposes. Those purposes might be sharing with my family. It might be working for character and values behind the scenes in politics. It might be being a friendly host to cabin visitors. It might be going to Africa. What purposes does God have planned for you?