Serving in America

I have heard more than one reference in the past couple of weeks to an idea that really brings frustration into my heart. It is this idea that as an American, serving God in America is “more comfortable” and “easier”, than serving the Lord in a foreign country. When I hear these comments it brings a lot of unrest into my heart.

I want to begin by saying that missions most definitely has its place in the kingdom work! Jesus instructed His disciples to go out and make disciples of all nations. I have both high honor and respect for missionaries! Living here among our missionary families here in Kampala has really opened my eyes to the sacrifices that they make each and every day. It takes leaving family, friends, and a lifestyle that is comfortable behind for a new language, a culture you may never truly understand, and a lifestyle that can be more challenging.

Though, I will only be here for 4 1/2 months, my heart has already experienced the cry of not being around for important things. Dylan is finding his first job out of college and will probably have moved to a new place that I have never seen by the time I get back, my best friend, Ashley, is planning her wedding and all that goes along with that. She will get married the weekend I get back so I am missing sharing in all of her showers, planning, and joy that comes with preparation. Katie found out she was pregnant when I first arrived here and has already finished her first trimester. Though she was there every day as I experienced the loss of my Dad, and every day since then of healing-----I am not there to encourage her, hug her, pray with her, and just be a good friend when she has needed that. Not to mention all of the everyday moments of my Mom, sister, grandparents, family, and friends that I am missing out on! This is the most challenging part of being in Uganda for me. Relationships are what define my life. My heart is with the people I care about, therefore my heart is partly in America with the people I care about, and partly here with the people I have come to love and serve. A heart divided. It is a very hard place to be. I know this is what these missionaries experience day in and day out for far longer than just 4 months.

So…with that being said…..It does take a very special calling to serve the Lord in another country. However, when the Lord says to Be Still and Know that He is God, His Name Will Be Exalted Among the Nations…….. I just have to ask the question when I hear those references I mentioned in the beginning: Is America not a nation? Does this verse not instruct us to exalt the name of the Lord in EVERY nation. Just because America is OUR nation, does not disregard its place in this scripture. The calling to serve in America is no less than serving in another country.
I feel called to America. I Love Africa! I love sharing the love of Christ among this nation! I believe that if you ever have the chance to go on a mission trip and go and make disciples in another nation, you should! But, personally being here in Kampala has shown me that I do feel a calling to America, and to America’s young adults and college age students. There is a quote that really represents my heart right now in ministry. “More potently than by any other means, change a university and you change the world.” –Charles Malik” I truly believe this. I am praying for the Lord to use me as a vessel to impact the future leaders of our country for Christ.

Just because America has air conditioning, and an abundance of food---does not mean that it doesn’t need strong leaders for the Lord. And that there is not work to be done for the Lord within our own country.

When I balance out the good and bad of America vs. Uganda, I can find best and worst things in each. Ugandans are soooo wonderful! They are so open to love and to hear the gospel. The harvest here in Kampala is truly incredible. People are very willing to accept and know Christ. They love their neighbor as themselves. When I look at the community of believers here, it truly is an example of the body of Christ. They take care of one another and support each other’s needs. But, there are also witchdoctors here, and the enemy is very present in spiritual ways.
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n America, it is very hard to find the type of sacrifice, surrrending, and community that I have seen here! The US is “me” oriented. Americans live indulgent lifestyles and are blinded with their own wealth. We buy and spend and indulge while not really understanding, or doing anything, about the poverty in these third world countries. Is that easier? When you really think about it, is it easier to serve the Lord when there is temptation that you are having to fight against at every turn?

So……. Who is to measure which calling is greater or easier? How can anyone compare what the Lord has designed each of us to do? We each were designed by the Lord to carry out specific tasks according to our gifts and abilities.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Just as you were wonderfully created, so is the calling on your life. Maybe your calling is to have an ordinary job and share the love of Christ with those around you. Maybe your calling is to be a pastor. Maybe your calling is to be a missionary. Maybe you were designed to love nursing, teaching, business, and the list could truly go on!

Please do not disregard your place in the kingdom because of your location, financial status, job placement, or talents. The most important thing is to choose to live for Christ day in and day out no matter where you are. A title or place cannot be the definition of our worth in the kingdom! We each need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. (John 15:5)

To reflect the love of Christ to those around us- that is our true calling. That is what will impact the world! Teaching has its place, missions has its place, serving has its place…but what I believe will truly be the biggest impact is when you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind every day and when that is reflected to the people around you. When people don’t just hear our words, but they see a difference in the life we lead and the joy and peace in our heart and actions.
So, whether in America, Africa, China, or South America---- please don’t disregard your worth! Please don’t let people have you believe that one calling is greater than another. Or that one is easier than the other.

Let’s commit to praying that we will be good stewards of where we are and live our life as someone who is sold out to the gospel. That is our greatest calling! Serving the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaiming the greatest message every told!