Today has been 18 days since I put my GoFundMe page up to raise money for my mission trip. Today has been 18 days since we started selling discount cards to raise money as well. Today has been 18 days since I began talking to my friends and family about what God has in store for my life. And this morning, during the first service of the day, when I went to talk to the Assistant Director of Missions to see if anyone else had signed up for the LA Dream Center Trip, she gave me the last $7 that I needed to reach my goal.
In 18 days, God has put it in the hearts of so many to donate to my goal. God has done the work….I may have put myself out there, but through Him the money came in. At just after 8:30 this morning, my goal of raising $1000 became a reality.
Fundraising for this trip was hard for me to do. I could afford this on my own. At first I felt guilty for asking others for money, but after some advice from my wife and others, I decided it was okay. The general consensus was, “Yes, we could afford this” and “Yes, God will provide the funds anyway,” but allowing others to be a part of this was a good idea too. Some people don’t want to go on mission trips. And that is fine…..in fact until a month ago that was me. But by allowing people to volunteer “financially” it allows them to be a contributor in their own way. And that is awesome too.
I’ve been reading a book called Servolution by Dino Rizzo. It’s amazing what God can do through those who open their hearts to serve. People who get dirty and get to work for those who are struggling….for those that are in need. Our Director of Missions just returned from a trip to the Highlands Church in Birmingham, Alabama where Dino Rizzo serves on their staff. Her husband was telling me this morning that they have 12,000 volunteers on their roster. That is 6 times more people than even attend our church on a Sunday morning. Can you imagine what kind of work they are doing…..what kind of impact they are having….how many lives they are bringing to Christ? The numbers are astonishing.
Here is an amazing excerpt from Dino Rizzo’s book talking about a servolution…..a revolution of serving.
“A servolution must be an expression of our lives. It’s not something to be compartmentalized as only a church experience, a mission trip, or a charity event we hold for our community. We have to live it in everything we do, everywhere we go. The teller at the bank drive-thru is someone God cares about deeply. So are the guy who just cut me off in traffic and the waiter who got my order wrong. We have to realize we are all just people and our value is measured by how much God loves us. We have to place that same value on others. We need to see people through the eyes of God’s infinite love. The waiter who gave me a baked potato instead of mashed is no less valuable to God that I am, because God’s love is the same for him as it is for me.”
I drive through certain parts of town on the way home from work and I just want to stop and give them all I have. I see people when I’m at the store, and I know they are struggling and I want to help, but I can’t help everyone. I hope with this mission trip to Los Angeles, God allows me to do all that I can and all that He has planned for me. “It is true that we cannot do everything. But we absolutely cannot let that thought keep us from doing what we can. All of us have gifts and talents to offer, and all of us are able to do something to meet the needs of the hurting around us if we are willing to let God use us. No more making excuses! (Dino Rizzo)”
God has put me in this moment, in this time, in this place to be a tool to use for the expansion of His kingdom. God has provided a place to go. God has provided the means to get there. God will provide me the words to say and the actions required to complete His mission. I have no doubt of that.
Sometimes I look up at the sky and ask, “Why me? What can I do? Why have I been chosen?” But then there are other times….which happen more and more these days I ask myself, “Why not me? I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13.)”
So now its time to get in the trenches, time to go and do what the money was raised for. I know its a few months away, but I have a feeling God is going to be preparing me over the next several months…..moving me out of my comfort zone….training me up for what lies ahead. And I accept the challenge. Because I know He is there, and this is where He wants me to be.
So those of you who donated…..those of you who have sent your prayers….I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Another cool thing is that just because I have met “my” goal, that doesn’t mean I have met God’s goal. Any money that comes in over the cost of my trip will be going back to the Missions Department at Lowcountry Community Church to go where it is needed most.
Tetelestai 