::Narrow is the Path::

Tomorrow will mark Craig and I's last day in India. I really don't know what to think about it all...how do I process what I've seen and experienced? I desperately hope that we have planted seed that will produce fruit unto everlasting life. Indeed, our full intention in coming here was to impact India for Christ, but we ourselves are the ones that are walking out of this changed. The past two months GOD has taken us on a journey to see His faithfulness in the midst of man's fallenness. The darkness and sad reality of poverty is constantly at your door step here. Child Labour, sex trafficking, idol worship,  swindling, disease, corruption and human rights violations are part of routine life. Some have a high standard of living and are free from the direct oppression of these things but the reality is that one must literally close their eyes in order to escape them. It is honestly quite overwhelming. Where does one even start when the situation is so vast? There is an immense thirst in this country for peace with GOD. Everyone longs for it. People are trying so hard to make it through life without angering the gods who are constantly ready to destroy them because of their sin. The odd thing is, the Hindu gods themselves are known for deceit, swindling, adultery, murder and a number of other immoralities.

What India needs is the gospel. What the world needs is the gospel. Change will happen as children of darkness become children of light, one by one. Jesus offers us something that no one else can...forgiveness and reconciliation with our Creator. There is so much more beauty in Jesus but it begins with His ability and desire to forgive us of our sins against Him. 

I am now, at the end of summertime, more aware of my depravity than when I embarked on this journey in May. I've been reminded continually that living a missional lifestyle is not a call for only a select few in the Church. It is the call of all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. You do not need to cross the sea to find people who need Jesus. They are your neighbors, your friends, your parents and teachers.  Make no mistake. We are all screwed up. You will not find one follower of Jesus out-there that is not fighting a daily battle against sin and apathy. But a result of a regenerate life in Christ is the realization that every human being is desperately in need of the work of Christ in their lives. The Kingdom of the heavens is advancing my friends. I could write entire books about how I fall short but that is precisely the beauty of the gospel.  Jesus beckons, "come as you are"to the broken and lost.  He says to the weary, "I will give you rest".