Betting My Life It's True

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:37-39

Image Kozzi

One of the most fun and interesting parts of overseas missionary work is the opportunity to make connections not only with people of your host culture, but of people from around the world. The technical name for this group of people who are foreigners in Liberia is the expatriate community, and in Liberia it includes shop keepers, aid workers, Peace Corp volunteers, UN soldiers and others.

We meet this diverse group of people at government offices, U.S. Embassy meetings, grocery stores, on the road, at the beach, and every other imaginable place. And when we recognize each other it is neither uncommon nor considered invasive to extend greetings, ask about a home country, and find the answer to the always-interesting riddle—what brings you to Liberia?

And we are always at least somewhat interesting to these strangers we meet. After all, most organizations think a two or three year contract in Africa is substantial and we've been here since 1986. Often questions are asked that allow us to explain in more detail facts about our family and our ministries through the years—usually including the time of Liberia's civil war.

UN vehicles and troops near our yard

At that point I often see a perplexed look come across my new friends' faces, followed by  a variation of the "Why are you doing this?" question. My answer, while often not appropriate to say to complete strangers, is crystal clear in my mind. I'm betting my life the Bible is true.

Recently it has occurred to me that each person, no matter what he is doing with his life—good or bad, worthy or unworthy, virtuous or repugnant—is doing that same thing. Betting his life what he believes is true. Life choices reflect what we truly believe in the deepest part of ourselves, even if they primarily reveal we believe it doesn't matter what we believe.

How thankful I am God has drawn me to Himself and given me something for which to live. While it hasn't been easy, it has been amazing. Am I convinced it's true? You bet 'cha!

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