Joyful Joyful...

Sister Act 2: Lyrics: http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/lauryn/rm_bside/joyful.fge.txt

Yep, I had nothing to say earlier, but as usual...God just wanted me to wait to hear what He would put on my heart. Here it is. I need to expand my horizons.

Sometimes I get really scared to step outside my comfort zone. I know He's calling me to do it though. Here are some things He's having me do...I haven't been to my camp in about 4 years. Yesterday I signed up to go on the young adults retreat in August. I'm inviting anyone and everyone to join me (visit http://www.ipoint.org/42.53.0.0.1.0.phtml), but I signed up alone. Kind of out of my comfort zone.

I need to go to more diverse churches. I think I'm going to go to Sanctuary (visit: http://www.sanctuarycovenant.org/aboutus/index.html) as soon as I get the chance. I always love hearing Efrem speak, but I never take the initiative to go to him, to his church.

When I was at Bethel I think I was lucky. Bethel is probably 96% white. I somehow managed to make friends with most of my classmates that weren't white. (Read 101 things, they probably didn't know I was white! J/K). At anyrate, it was such a blessing to me, I experienced so many other cultures and traditions and really had an opportunity to see God from a different, non-traditional light. My friends Obang, Kundai & Munya brought so much joy to my life. They showed me a new Jesus.

Somewhere along the line I lost that desire. I got so into my comfort zone that I quit going to new things. I quit trying new ministries. I'm not out of my community enough anymore. God's calling me to do that though...Step outside...I'm very excited about this.

Micah 4:2:
Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to
the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his
ways, so that we may walk in his paths."

Many nations, Africa, America, many peoples, men, women, children, rich, poor, black, white, brown, yellow...We will ALL praise the Lord! Isn't that exciting? Why would I ever want to confine myself to being content worshiping with only those who are similar to me? Only the worship services I am accustomed to?

It was funny at Bethel...To see those who could embrace another culture, another color, a difference...And to see those who never strayed outside where they were comfortable. It was also interesting that the only way some people could embrace those unlike them was to befriend me (someone similar) and through that befriend Kundai. I just think Jesus is SO bigger than that. I feel like God's finger is poking each of us on the back, saying, "Go...walk a little further...see how far my kingdom spills..." Will you walk or stay there being poked? I'm going to walk.