I snapped this pic of hills & valleys on the train to Cluj, Romania
 “We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life – those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration.
We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.†- Oswald Chambers
Worship changed my life.
Missions ruined me for the ordinary.
I was Wrecked, a long time ago.
In those moments when I get to do what I was created to do, I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.
Last month I was able to serve at my personal best on a missions trip to the Balkans , and it was a mountain top experience.
But we were made for the valley and the ordinary things of life …
Sometimes people return from missions trips and they have a real difficult time. Re-entry back into the “real world” can leave them disoriented and disillusioned. They want to stay in the wonder zone, where maybe they experienced a glimpse of heaven touching earth.
Why can’t it always be like this? It’s a fallen world, baby.
Now, hopefully one benefit that comes with experience is perspective. After many, many amazing short term missions trips, I offer this simple thought …
Appreciate those moments of clarity, meaning and fulfillment. They are few and far between. Let them inspire you. Allow those memories to be a source of joy.
But don’t chase them, trying to recapture the feeling, recreate the moment, or long for the glorious “good old days”.
We can not go backwards, only forwards. Bring that sense of purpose, wonder and God-awareness into your current everyday reality.
We are continuously being recreated by our Savior to be new creations, created to do good works.
For we are God’s masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to do good works that God prepared long ago to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10
That revelation you received serving on the mountain top?
Remember it in the valley. Use it where God plants you next.
The best is yet to come.
Vaya Con Dios!
By the way, have you heard about my next missions trip to Sri Lanka? Read about it here.Â
