To the spectator’s eye, I’m living the dream. I’m living in what I’m told is the most beautiful part of Germany for half a year, and with living in Europe, comes easy travel to so many other amazing counties. The history is rich, the bread surpasses anything you could ever buy in Canada, the architecture is stunning and delicate, and the cafes are on point.

So why, as I roam through beautiful Vienna, do I ask myself why I feel miserable?

“You’re walking the streets of Vienna, Madi. Get yourself together. Stop grumbling, and remember how spoiled you are right now. Go experience all the world has to offer!”

This shouldn’t have to be a thought of any traveller – at least, that’s what social media fools the everyday person to believe.

(Now, I do wholeheartedly believe that travel can be exciting and life giving, and a fresh perspective of the world can be gained, so this all might just be a personal state of being and irrelevant to the rest of the world).

I don’t ‘tourist’ well, or so I’m learning about myself currently. What’s the point, I ask myself. I walk the streets feeling lonely and homesick for ‘my people’ (travelling with ‘your people’ would drastically alter this narrative). I feel empty and purposeless, even though I get to be in some of the most beautiful cities in Europe over my holiday break. I look at the picture portrayed of each city and wonder what secrets it’s hiding in the darkest corners. There’s so much to learn about history in museums, and I’m grateful to be able to gain a deeper understanding of our past, but I desire to live in today and press into the issues that face our world in the here and now.

Being a tourist in this world, in a metaphorical sense, is not the life we are called to live – it’s not how we’re designed to live. Being a tourist focuses on your own wants and desires, and forgets about the topics that Jesus’ heart was most passionate about. Jesus modelled a life of service, a life of love, a life beyond Himself. He did life with people – and together they had purpose. Our world tells us that fame, fortune, travel, etc. is what will bring happiness, but, based on my own current experience, when I think of the life of Jesus, I really see what He was getting at.

When I reflect on my life and consider when I feel closest to God and connected to this world, it’s hanging out with my family in the kitchen; it’s when I’m with the kids at the weekly after school program; it’s spending time with someone who has reached rock bottom; it’s going out to a favourite local pub and chat about how to solve all the world’s problems; it’s simply journeying through life with my small group girls for the last seven years. And it’s when my heart utterly rips to shreds for the things that break God’s heart – that is when I feel closest to Him.

It’s the day to day. It’s real world living. It’s a life beyond the self.

Maybe all this rambling comes from feeling homesick over the holidays, or maybe it’s just my personality. Or maybe this has been an accumulation of thoughts over the last three months that has some truth behind if. If that’s the case, as 2018 begins, can I challenge you to not be a tourist in this world? Resist the envy that comes from seeing people’s extravagant lives, because so often there’s a story they aren’t telling. Embrace the mess that comes from truly living in this world – that’s often where you’ll experience the most joy.

My Daughter’s Perspective

 

Have you ever thought about how everything you do and everything you say influences someone’s life? Whether big or small, everything you do impacts the flow of this world. The dropping of a pebble in water sends out ripples of change to the surface. One seed can fill a garden (lamb’s ears just take over wherever they please – but they are oh so soft!). A simple smile can cause a 360 shift in someone’s day. Every action. Every word. You are an influencer. And you get to decide the height, length, width, and depth of that influence.

This is something I’ve been reflecting on for the last little while.

When you consider some celebrities, there are some who use their fame to bring awareness to amazing causes, and push people to create a change in the world. There are others who float in a pool of money and bathe in the light of flashing cameras. The former have fully leaned in and embraced their role in influencing, and the latter are just too self-centered to notice anything else going on in the world. (That may be harsh, but from my perspective it’s the truth). This doesn’t just apply to celebrities. Brad Pitt doesn’t live in our neighbourhoods; Sandra Bullock doesn’t work in our workplaces; Ryan Gosling doesn’t attend our schools; and Keira Knightley doesn’t go to our churches. You and I are the ones living in our neighbourhoods, working in our workplaces, attending our schools, and going to our churches. We all have a role to play right where we are.

I have a confession for you. I don’t always think pretty thoughts about people. Let me get vulnerable and give you an example. I’m a leader in the youth ministry in our church, and by no means do I think I’m a perfect leader – I would argue that I have the best small group, but that’s beside the point! One of my biggest pet peeves is when a youth leader doesn’t give their all to their small group, even if it’s just for the two hour commitment in the week (though if you ask me this isn’t really enough). Maybe this causes my muscles to tense because I didn’t have committed leaders when I was in youth and I eventually left when I was in grade ten. If I grew up in a different family or had different friends surrounding me, I fear where I would be now. I hear too many stories of youth leaving the church, and in my mind the solution is so simple – they need to be known, and only other people can make that happen. So if any youth leaders are reading this, please understand that you can make or break a youth’s faith journey.

I’m greatly impacted by personal testimonies, particularly the ones where it took one person to change the course of that person’s life. Those stories are what I hold onto when I start to lose hope for specific people – no one is too far gone for God, and He will often use us to show His love. You may often not know the impact you have had on someone’s life, but you must believe that you can be the stone in someone’s life that can change the trajectory of their life flow. Don’t miss out on that opportunity. After all, this is what God calls us to do, and the example Jesus set for us.

So remember (and this is a reminder for me also) you have influence in everything you do. Live intentionally, and be prepared to step beyond yourself for the greater Kingdom.