Life is messy, people are messy. Plain and simple, there is just no way to get around it. And I think that about 99% of the time, we are scared of that mess. When we ask people "how are you?" all we really want to hear is "I'm good, thank you." Because if they said something like "I'm actually having a really tough time." we would roll our eyes and groan inwardly asking ourselves what we got into. We rarely love someone enough to get into the nitty gritty part of their lives. In the back of our minds, we know that many people need love and help but in our hearts we know that we don't want to be that loving and helpful person.
I think too many Christians (myself included) look at pictures of white people in Africa, holding children with huge smiles and think if only we were there... If only... Because there we would definitely get into the nitty gritty. There, we would be prepared to get our hands dirty in the mess of someone else's life. We don't spend time talking to that kid in school that no one sits beside or the one that everyone knows is cutting herself or take an afternoon to visit the home for elders. We don't dare approach that woman who just had her husband walk out on her or the kid that just lost his brother in a car accident. But oh, how we would be dancing and singing and spreading the gospel to African kids. Oh, how we would spend time with them. As if their lives matter more some how. As if their mess isn't so scary.
I will not hide the truth- that is exactly how I acted and lived before I packed my bags, hopped on a plane and flew to East Africa. I figured my whole time would be full of awesome pictures, dancing with kids and bringing the gospel to some remote village. Oh, how God must've shook His head at me. I spent 9 hours a day washing windows, cleaning dishes and playing with babies who couldn't even understand me. I used to imagine bringing revival to orphans and families in Uganda. Let me tell you- if I was going to bring revival somewhere, I should have stayed home. God is needed much more there.
What I have realized is that God puts us in places and situations for His own reason. It is amazing and great if you go to Africa or Thailand or Cuba or the Middle East, but make no mistake- God has you where you are right now for a reason. He ordained it all. It is not "chance" that you know about the kid no one talks to, or the now lonely and struggling wife. Sure, maybe one day you will go to Africa and I pray it absolutely changes your life, but the point is that you are not there yet. You are living where you are right now for a God-purposed reason. And I know that God is speaking to you, saying "don't waste this moment, child."
I mean, look at Mother Teresa. She worked where God put her. She got into the nitty gritty of people's lives. I mean, she got right down into the dirty part of people that we try to avoid. In Calcutta, she listened to the voice of her Father saying "don't waste this moment, child." And so, she didn't. Aware of the brokenness surrounding her, she devoted her life to the sick and the poor. If she was alive right now, standing where we are, she would be doing all that you and I are not. She would talk to that kid, comfort that wife. She would be doing what God calls His family to do- release His Kingdom right in the middle of people's lives. Right where you are, in this moment.
Let's get something straight before I finish this- God definitely calls people to the mission field. I believe that fully because I feel it in my own life. But that shouldn't hold you back from loving people around you and getting into their lives. So go- ask people how they feel and don't be afraid of their answer. Let loose the Kingdom of God exactly where you are.
Make your Calcutta right where you are in this moment. And don't hold anything back.