Those who don't work, don't eat.

Coming off my trip from Mexico, I think that I have developed a much better understanding of what it means to be a servant. It is very similar to Christianity in that it isn't always easy, but it is always right. Honestly, I expected to roll into Mexico and build a house in a few days then leave feeling good about what I had done. I also prayed that God would humble me and I quickly found out that those two could not exist together. I definitely was humbled due to the circumstances of the week and the conditions of the building but it all came together for me as I read through II Thessalonians. In chapter 3, Paul writes to them about not being idle and tells them to constantly be working and to spread the gospel. He goes on as far as to say that those who don't work, don't eat. It really puts my week in perspective because sure the work was hard, but it isn't about the labor and I struggled to see that all week. No, it is about doing the work, not just the work itself. It is the act of service, doing it for someone in the name of Jesus. It is staying away from idleness and doing the work to his glory that matters. I find myself completely selfish when I complain about our week because as someone said on our trip: "Maybe this is just God showing us that we in fact are on His schedule and any notions that we have should be thrown out the window because this is God's trip. Any idea of a feel good mission trip should be checked at the door because this isn't what service is about. It is about humbling yourself so that the light of the LORD might shine on others. Service is tough, but it is right and true." It was humbling and that is more than just a feeling of being thankful for what you have but its also a call to continue serving no matter the place or time because despite my sorry week physically, I have never been more blessed than by knowing this family. I experience God through them in a way I never have before and a simple meal with them in their home was amazing to the point of shifting my outlook on what a servant is and what a follower of Christ is. May God continue to break hearts as He did mine in Juarez, Mexico that week. May he always light the way that leads people to the doorstep of servant hood because I am a firm believer that true faith can be found by living a life that is consumed not by one's self but by the need of the needy and the lost. It is a hope that people can be reached by the good deeds in the name of Jesus Christ and can understand why we do the things we do for this man that lived, died and rose for us so many years ago.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." -Matt. 5:16