Change of Perspective

[Kelsey Linduff]

Every few months I start feeling the need/desire to buy a plane ticket and travel somewhere internationally. Yes, I might be crazy (I have been called that more than once). No, I'm not filthy rich (I just would rather not eat or pay for gas to afford a plane ticket... just kidding... sort of :) ). I love almost everything about traveling... airports, plane rides, trying out new food, exploring a new place, meeting new people and making new friends... the list goes on. But there is more to it than that. There is something about almost all international trips that pulls me out of my comfort zone, that places me in situations which I can't control, that puts me in the midst of opportunities that require risk; all of which require my faith to be stretched as I experience God's strength being made known in my weakness. Its not always fun, but its always good. There is something about being used by God in His story of reconciling the world to Himself that is the most humbling and most amazing thing. There is something about partnering with the Church around the world and getting a glimpse of what Jesus prayed for in the garden when He asked that we be made one. The list could go on and on.

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon by Mark Batterson in which he said something that I think captured a highly significant reason for international travel. He said:

Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective.

I can't tell you how true that has been in my experience. Sometimes I get stuck in my routine and life becomes very comfortable. I feel like when I am in the States for too long, even my perspective on God gets very limited. My western american way of thinking becomes a filter through which I see and understand and know God (not that it is necessarily bad, but I think it is too small). My perspective on faith, on grace, on the Church, on joy, on work, on justice, on life, on prayer, on contentment, on needs, on compassion, on just about everything... is limited.

When I travel internationally... when there is a change of pace + a change of place.... my perspective changes. For me, every trip is significant. Every trip is life changing. On every trip I see a God who is beyond comprehension, who's love is indescribable, who has chosen us to be His "Plan A" for reaching the world. I see a God through whom miracles still happen and a Church who still believes it to be true. I see a God who calls us out of simply existing into living in the abundant life He offers. Maybe you already know these things, but I need the reminder. I need to see it more and in a different context. And every time, in every culture, in every conversation with someone, in every experience, my perspective grows and changes more.

Mark Batterson referred to the "Great Commission" as "Jesus' Great Dream." He has invited us to be part of His dream... what will your response be?