Flexibility

  Are you flexible? Have you ever considered the value of this trait?

It is, perhaps, the most invaluable characteristic that a person can possess in our current context. Flexibility.

Never mind the fact that we are in Africa, a foreign country that in many cases resembles no place that we have ever seen. Or that we are complete novices to missionary work and still retain many of the naive notions that fascinated us about Africa in the first place. Or that we are in some cases doing work that we have never done or thought about doing before. The simple fact that there are just not enough hands to do what is needed requires that everyone here can flex.

And that is just what we signed up for. We came to be stretched. To grow. To offer our bodies as living sacrifices, so that we could test what God’s good, pleasing and perfect will is (Romans 12:1). I have never, in my life, been more sure of God’s call. I know this because, even when I am missing my home in California – the friends, family, and faith community that defines home for me – I am confident of the rightness of this place for me and my family. Even though we have to be careful what we eat and drink, where we walk and drive, what we say and do.

Don’t get me wrong! I am no powerhouse model for faith! Far from it! I dragged my heels for years in coming to the decision to obey this call. I wasn’t altogether sure that I was that flexible! There were days during the process of “getting sent” that I just said, in my heart, “I’m not going!”

In fact, to be honest, there were extended times when, frankly, I hoped against God’s will – that AIM would refuse us, that the finances would not come in, that they would close the borders to Kenya, or that God would simply reconsider sending us to Africa. After all there are plenty of needs right there at home, right!?

But, praise the Lord, for He got us here – in spite of my resistance. And, as usual, His plans are the best plans. Not only are we safe and sound (despite the fears of my most desperate moments back home), we are being deeply transformed as we witness the deep, often painful, beauty of this Africa.

This weekend I will attend an AIM men’s retreat at Sunrise Acres, a retreat center in the Eldama Ravine, about a hundred miles from here.  I am going with a few new friends with whom I work here at RVA. I will meet some new ones too. What is remarkable is that I will also be serving as the worship leader for this retreat and speaking on Sunday morning! I’ll have to be flexible.

Who am I that I should have a part of any of this? I am so often finding myself stunned that God would include me – ME! – in his plans. That I would be at this incredible school, teaching in the heart of Africa. That I would rub shoulders with men and women who have been serving the poor, neglected, sick, hungry, widowed, and lost people of this continent – unequivocal heroes of the Christian faith! That I, a blatant God hater for much of my life, would have any part of His kingdom at all!! It’s unspeakable! It’s amazing!

I am glad God has made me flexible – that in His infinite brilliance, He saw fit to include us, lost, broken, self-righteous sinners in His plan to redeem humanity to Him. That He, mercifully, didn’t let me have my selfish way back in my comfortable life in California. That He, to the protests of friends, family, colleagues, and even myself, sent us to this scary, foreign, beautiful place.

Is God asking you to be flexible? Are you willing to let Him stretch you? Is the outcome worth the sacrifice?

You’ll just have to let Him show you, I guess.