Many people who perhaps should serve God in another country, fear the difficult life that would entail. It is true that in some parts of the world, life is simply painful and difficult for everyone all the time. However many of those serving in other countries could list a number of advantages to living away from their home country. Life in many places is difficult or wonderful depending upon the perspective, the attitude and the focus.
I could tell you that life here is tough. For example I had to walk this morning about 50 meters out to the main road near our apartment. I had to step to the curb and hail a taxi. Usually I have to tell the taxi driver where I want to go, then show him a map and then pay attention that he in fact does take me to the proper location. We don't have an office for me in our church office building, so I have to sit at a folding table on the third floor in our only small meeting room. I have to walk down a flight of stairs to talk with the other staff members. I hear loud construction noise from near by and right now a sixth grade staff member's child is sharing this room, reading as she waits for her father. In a little while, I will need to walk up a narrow alley to the nearby street, walk a block to get to a major intersection, hail a taxi, make sure the driver knows where I want to go and that the meter is actually working. I will ride home with this total stranger driving (probably too fast) through dense, chaotic traffic.
A few moments ago however I was joking with a staff member that I could describe the same situation this way.
I have my own car and driver every day when I go to the church office. Driving through dense traffic I can watch the numerous motor bikes, make a phone call or text message, pray or do whatever I want. Right now it is 27 degrees and sunny, with a caressing breeze blowing through the open window. Oh yes, the church offices are located in a small three storey house. So I can look out this third floor window, or step out onto the balcony and look over a shining lake just 30 meters away. In fact a moment ago, I watched five slim, sleek kayaks paddle by. My "office" is huge - 4 meters by 8 meters and I have a library and washroom at the end of the office.
Both paragraphs are true. It all depends on how you look at the situation. Of course for those who are Christ followers, we have only one way to look at things, right? Whatever our situation, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Or as we read in Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!"(4:4) I'm rejoicing as I soon head out to look for a taxi.
I could tell you that life here is tough. For example I had to walk this morning about 50 meters out to the main road near our apartment. I had to step to the curb and hail a taxi. Usually I have to tell the taxi driver where I want to go, then show him a map and then pay attention that he in fact does take me to the proper location. We don't have an office for me in our church office building, so I have to sit at a folding table on the third floor in our only small meeting room. I have to walk down a flight of stairs to talk with the other staff members. I hear loud construction noise from near by and right now a sixth grade staff member's child is sharing this room, reading as she waits for her father. In a little while, I will need to walk up a narrow alley to the nearby street, walk a block to get to a major intersection, hail a taxi, make sure the driver knows where I want to go and that the meter is actually working. I will ride home with this total stranger driving (probably too fast) through dense, chaotic traffic.
A few moments ago however I was joking with a staff member that I could describe the same situation this way.
I have my own car and driver every day when I go to the church office. Driving through dense traffic I can watch the numerous motor bikes, make a phone call or text message, pray or do whatever I want. Right now it is 27 degrees and sunny, with a caressing breeze blowing through the open window. Oh yes, the church offices are located in a small three storey house. So I can look out this third floor window, or step out onto the balcony and look over a shining lake just 30 meters away. In fact a moment ago, I watched five slim, sleek kayaks paddle by. My "office" is huge - 4 meters by 8 meters and I have a library and washroom at the end of the office.
Both paragraphs are true. It all depends on how you look at the situation. Of course for those who are Christ followers, we have only one way to look at things, right? Whatever our situation, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Or as we read in Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!"(4:4) I'm rejoicing as I soon head out to look for a taxi.
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