Video Game Truth

From Bev Bussom’s article in the 4/20/16 Weekly Update

We were sitting at dinner one evening and our son was talking about his Marvel Lego video game.  He only gets to play these games twice a week, so he tends to be particular about what he wants to play when the joyous time arrives to turn on the Xbox.  The last time they played they were stuck in a “mission” and having a difficult time figuring out how to beat the mission.  Our son was relaying this tale to us and in so doing said “I don’t want to do a mission.  I just want to do what I want to do.”

I have recently spent a great deal of time thinking through the Great Commission and all the reasons that I struggle to share Christ with others.  I’ve engaged in many conversations with people about this very topic, trying to put my finger on what the real issue might be.  Could it be that the answer to my ponderings came in the form of a 5 year old?  I just want to do what I want to do rather than being on mission with, and for, God.

Paul and I live on a very busy street with many neighbors.  We have sought to cultivate a relationship with the neighbor across the alley.  That’s fine, and we’re making some progress with him, finally!  Unfortunately, I have to confess that we have made very little effort to even begin a relationship with the folks to our right or those across the street.  We’ve shoveled snow with these people, and we wave hello whenever we’re all outside, but what’s really keeping me from engaging them in a more meaningful conversation?

I fill my time with parenting, getting my church work done, volunteering at my kid’s school, mowing our yard (and a few others) and just being our domestic manager.  I attempt to build relationships with the women in our church, and the ladies in my life who attend other churches.  Occasionally I have the privilege of watching my niece and nephew who are truly delightful.  These are all respectable activities that I believe are honoring Jesus, but there’s more Kingdom building work to be done!

Sure, we wrestle with feeling like we won’t have all the answers or we might risk the friendship we’ve established.  We may even fear that we’ll come across as “weird”.  The truth is that it requires intentionality and love to walk across the yard, room, restaurant, soccer field, birthday party or store, and when the rubber meets the road, we’d much rather go about our own business and leave well enough alone.

It humbles me, and convicts my spirit, to think what would happen to me if God had taken that very same mentality about His mission!  Thankfully, He was going about His own business when He chose to send His son to rescue my selfish state.  I don’t want to be about my own business.  I want to be about God’s business.  I WANT to do a mission…His mission.  Won’t you join me and let’s walk across the…