Lesson learned.

This weekend we traveled to the beach, and after many hours on a bus, many hours at the ocean, a few hours white water rafting this morning and lots of sun, I am beat!  But it was such an incredible weekend!  In the wild, we saw toucans, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, iguanas, sloths, crocodiles, frogs, a snake eating a frog and thousands of crabs of all shapes, colors and sizes.

We were definitely immersed in creation this weekend (as that’s pretty normal here in Costa Rica).  It’s amazing how after being in Central America for over a month, I have gotten used to the scenery, but I never get used to the awe.

Even beyond creation, I must learn to never count out what God has in store.  Last Wednesday night, some of us had the opportunity to go meet a bunch of teenagers for a bible study.  It reminded me so much of my fellas in Panamá who I miss so much.  At the end of the discussion, one of the leaders gave some of the soundest advice I’ve ever heard.

She explained to the youth that one must be a disciple or a follower of Christ before he or she must do anything else.  She told them that they don’t have to act or think or dress or feel any different in order to follow Him.  It was after they started following Him, that change comes.

I began wondering… how many times do I assume we must be at a certain point in our lives before we can follow Jesus?  Do I live as though anyone is welcome to make that decision?

Then I took it more personally… I’ve made the decision to follow Jesus.  And with that decision, with being a follower of Christ, I should look more like Him.  Over time, I must start believing and doing things the way He would do them—constantly growing and becoming more holy.  I’ve realized that I must put comfort and complacency to rest, for a life plagued by those focuses more on the mold itself than the Person that’s molding it.