I’m jealous.
There, I said it.
And jealousy is a sin, so…all in all, not a great start to a post by a pastor. Hopefully, you’ll stick around for the explanation.
There is a family in Southbrook that I love dearly and our time with them is short because they are heading back to the mission field in a couple months—seems like they just got home 5 minutes ago, but it’s actually been about 5 months.
I’m talking about the Kovach family—Dane, Kema, and their 4 wonderful (and very well behaved ) kids. We’ve had them over for dinner a few times and each time I learn something new about the life they lead now in Papua New Guinea. Though life there is tough, they have something that most Americans (and sadly, most Christian Americans as well) can’t seem to find—a closeness and a sweetness found only in a family who loves Jesus and lives for Him above all else.
Their life there is simple. That’s an understatement. And coming form a great income, lots of “stuff” and living the American dream they have something else that eludes most others…
Answers.
They’ve already been there, so they know of what the Beatles sang, “Can’t buy me love.”
Couple all of this with the fact that it was ‘missions’ that first grabbed hold of my heart for the Lord and you have a recipe for a longing that’s sometimes hard to shake.
I’m just saying.
It’s hardest to shake when I…
- Hear “Christians” complain about their church
- See “Christ Followers” live no differently than everyone else
- Experience the heavy sighs and eye rolling cry-babies who moan about having to serve or invite lost people to church like we just asked them to sign up for water-boarding 101
- See men refuse to lead their families and, instead, put all their time and effort into making it to the top
- Witness women gather to discuss Oprah or Dr. Phil instead of Jesus and God’s Word
- Observe the American Church in all its Anemic glory
Easier to live with when I…
- Remember how different Southbrook is from all the above!
- See our heart for the lost
- How much we serve!
- How many missions and outreach endeavors we are involved in!
- See men stepping up to lead.
- Women’s small groups over-flowing!
Yeah, I envy Dane and Kema but it helps to know they feel the same way!