Life to the Fullest
Posted on Mar 02 2006 | Tagged as: faith, faith in action
Nineteen years ago and almost to the month I became aware of an opportunity to go on a missions experience to Haiti. This was an interesting time in the history of Haiti, which made this trip more of an adventure than it should have been. Our trip fell between the resignation and fleeing of Jean Claude Duvalier in February of 1986 and the failed election of 1987 which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. I remember leaving early from our trip in the summer of 1987 on the last flight out of the country before the airport shutdown. After landing in the Florida keys we spent a couple of weeks debriefing our experience.
It was during this time of processing that I made a commitment to live my life to the fullest. Since that experience I have forgotten about that commitment off and on, but kept coming back to that monument in times of doubt, transition, major decisions, and struggles. I saw very clearly the evidence of Christ on that trip, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is real and faithful to complete his work.
What does it mean to live life to the fullest? Just this week I had the privilege of listening to Sandy Olson in Chapel. Sandy has been battling cancer for eight years. She appears to be a person that is living life to the fullest. After looking at our students she said, “I see a lot of incredible possibilities, the spiritual potential in this room is incredible - you could change the world!” When she said that to our school community I believed it. I want to be a part of it. I want the fullness of knowing I am walking with God and joining with him in changing the world.
Before we can change the world we must be willing to replace pride with love and allow God to change us. In recent months I have met some people who are great examples of humility. As a result I have been challenged to dig into the Word and spend more time with Christ, because I know that kind of humility cannot come from me.
have life, and have it to the full.
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To be known deeply by Christ and knowing him deeply (”I know my sheep and my sheep know me” v. 14)
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To be known deeply and to know others deeply through him (Even the unlovely)
On this most recent trip to Thailand I felt a deep desire to know and be known by Christ in a greater way. I also felt an incredible burden for people I had just met. I wanted to know them and now seek to have a richer community at home as well. If we know Christ intimately, he can use us to change the world. Life can’t get much fuller than that!
on 03 Mar 2006 at 9:28 am 1 Steve said …
The promise of a full life that eclipses our imagination is so appealing. To know God and be known by God, now that’s life…and that life can be had now. Too often we think in terms of eternity future. Jesus is talking fullness of life now…after all, in eternity futrue the thief won’t be around to steal. I am excited about sharing the journey with students, staff, and families in an experience like you had in Haiti. I am grateful for the passion and leadership you display.
on 03 Mar 2006 at 1:03 pm 2 maria said …
hey!! this blog thing is cool isnt it?! yes writing is def. a great tool to use to express the deep emotions within! blessings.
on 05 Mar 2006 at 12:35 pm 3 Carl Ralston said …
What a great talent you have for writing. I am sitting with tears in my eyes at how awesome God is and how God is mobilizing people to help the children. May our Heavenly Father be glorified by how He uses us !
on 05 Mar 2006 at 12:37 pm 4 Sheila said …
Thank you for sharing your heart. It was exciting to read all the entries and see the blank canvas start to have a picture appear. I decided to read them chronologically from those first Westside Way articles to your most recent posting about the pilot trip. What was most inspiring was to see how God has gotten a hold of your heart and has changed you more into His image. I admire your drive to stay focused on the course God has brought to you and our school. I am confidant that great things will happen and many lives will be changed as we move forward in this endeavor.
Sheila
on 05 Mar 2006 at 3:42 pm 5 Tutu said …
First of all, I would like to express my heart felt gratitude to you that I deeply appreciate and truly grateful for all of you love and kindness for my hill tribe orphan kids. Your tender heart for the Lord brought tears to my eyes. Since I get to know you. I honest tell you, my heart so much strengthened by you BECAUSE your love in JESUS inspiration to me since that DAY. God knows how much I strengthen from you. My days keep me with big smiling face. I always smile although my life not easy but Jesus keeps me with big smiling face Because He loves me so much and blessed me with so special friend like you. God is so good and answered my precious prayers.
Thank you so much for working hard for website for hill tribes for my people. I love you. And also my kids at Asia’s Hope keep asking me to ask you that when your team will come back? I have to tell them that keep pray for all of you that God will bless ticket for all of you to fly to Chiangmai. They are praying for you to come back. They are so cute and precious for God.