Change that attitude!

Oh, hello, rain forest.
 

 
Just yesterday, a few of us from our summer program traveled to a nutrition center to paint a classroom (not pictured above, I just wanted to show that photo from our trip last weekend).  We had to get up fairly early as usual, and take a 45-minute bus ride to this little building which serves a healthy breakfast and lunch to nearby preschool-age children.  Because it was early, we all had lots of homework (we have final exams today), and it was far too long of a trip to take so early in the morning, admittedly, very few of us were excited to go.

I was not the only one that considered skipping in order to sleep in a bit.  But I found some self-discipline within me, and I went anyways.  There were only about 10 of us, everyone was super eager to serve, sing along with the music and even get splattered by lots of paint.  My host mom even picked all the dried paint out of my hair for me—how nice!

As the morning went along and my mood improved, I realized just how terrible of an attitude I had.  When I was in Panamá doing “mission work,” why would I have complained?  But now that I have an opportunity to serve under the supervision of an academic institution with friends and fellow students, it’s apparently okay to be grumpy about it.

Thankfully, though, I don’t think God considers “mission work” any holier or more sanctified than general service if both are done with the same intentions—to love God and love people.

I’ve realized how often I have a good attitude about attending church, leading a bible study, praying with friends or going on a mission trip.  But then I try to get out of other activities, complain about going to work, and definitely dread the thought of going to class.  But in God’s eyes, does the “mission” end when the plane lands back in the States?  Does sharing the gospel stop when the freshmen bible study is over?  Am I finished worshipping upon the closing prayer?

Plane flights, service projects, memory verses, church camps, worship services, matching t-shirts and bible studies are great, but they are not the trip.  They aren’t even the mission.

Spreading the love of the Kingdom is our mission, and life is our trip.  It started upon my rebirth and it finishes when I go Home.  Today is another day to serve and love, and tomorrow is, too.  When I return to Panamá, Louisville, and Lexington, I’ll be living the same mission; I’ll be on the same trip.

Now that’s what I’ve always wanted…a mission trip that never had to end!