Before I Left Forever
I was looking through my journal last night. The journal my sister Mandy gave me right before I left the country for the very first time, bound for Africa by myself. It seemed appropriate to share the first entry here.
1/06/2002 3:30pm MST
Am in the airport in Denver (DIA)…am a little filled with apprehension about the 16.5 hours of flying ahead of me, and the changeover in London, but the ache in my heart to explore and learn more about this world, God’s world, is too great. The author of small stories would have me believe that things are safer here in the US. He would have me put off adventure and embrace safety and the mundane.
I will not succumb.
Instead I throw off the small meaningless story and embrace the unknown adventure that awaits me as I look to fulfill the role chosen for me in the larger story.
I choose the way of romance and danger!
And with that I left my country forever. Though I’ve physically traveled back and forth many times, my heart never fully returned. It been amazing to see the truth that simple, prayer has borne out in my life. Since then I have been to more than 55 countries encouraging local leaders through what God’s word has to say about sustainability.
What large story is God asking you to dive into today?
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You speak the words of my heart. Thanks for cracking open the door to my future, it will be the life and death of me.
Rz
I did think about you as I was transferring this from my journal to the internet. May God lead your path.
Matt,
I read a devotional one time that talked about the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mount. The devotion made the point that the disciples walked with Jesus often through the mundane and the ordinary with the occasional miracle. At this point, there was no turning back on whom they thought Jesus to be. Though He said, “lets move on from here”; back into the ordinary and mundane, there was still the scent of glory on His garments.
I remember journaling that morning about people in my life, leaders and friends, that I have the privilege of knowing closely. People who I get to know the mundane and simple places in their life, but how often, a transfiguration of sorts happens, and I see the Glory of God in them. You are one of the people, and I am thankful for it!
Maybe it’s just a sword, in a field…
Tyler
Thanks bro. It’s been cool walking with you for the past few years. Here’s to “swords in a fields”…