Number Your Days. Make Each Day Count.

Isn't it mind boggling to think that Jesus only lived to be 33 years old? Isn't it even crazier to think that we only know about three years of His life. Doesn't the fact that in those three years He radically changed the world, just blow your mind?? 

Jesus was human. One hundred percent human. So how is it that He was able to do so much  in so little time when some people can go through life without ever impacting this world at all? 

The answer to this question has been transforming my life in the past few days. 

Though it seems hard  to figure out, the answer is so  simple. In  Psalms 90:12 Moses says, "teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  Our wise Jesus did just that. He numbered His days. He lived each day intentionally and purposefully, because He understood the Fathers purpose for Him. The same purpose that we each have. In that same psalm Moses says, "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands." Our purpose isn't to do our own work but to let the Father work through us. Wow. Jesus makes it very clear in Matthew 28 that our job here on this earth is to make disciples of men. That is our great commission!

A few days ago I was convicted of the lack of intentionality in my life, as I sat in a coffee shop in the middle of Toronto, Canada. After spending a hour intentionally interacting with  people on a college campus, me and a few other girls had some extra time on our hands. With this time we went and sat in a coffee shop with the hope of having conversations with people about our amazing God. Please don't think highly for this because I can promise you I have never done this before, and it took the influence of others for me to do this. 

I went to Toronto on a "mission" trip so the entire week adding to the Kindgom was constantly on my mind. But why is it that it took a week dedicated to this for me actually be intentional with the strangers around me. The strangers that God purposefully places around me. Do each of my days count? 

Jesus did not pick a week out of His life to influence others, rather He purposefully lived each day. I want to seek a life that follows His example. I am praying for strength to number my days!

The basement is our favorite place!: Canada Day 2

Day two? There is no way! I feel like I have been here for weeks! We are absolutely loving this city of Toronto. This very lost city of Toronto.

Our day started off with church. Probably not the type of church you attended. We met with approximately fifteen people in the back of a coffee shop/boutique shop. There was no structure, no child care, no projector or spotlights. But there was the presence of God, and it was a sweet sweet time.

Our day from there worked up to 4 o'clock when the launch of Trinity Life Church would begin. It was a great time, and seemingly successfully. When returning to our hostile we were extremely tired but decided to go hang out in the basement for a little while. While there I wrote this in my journal. 

"Sitting in a hostile basement with over 50 people. People from all over the world,  and at least most (though, I am pretty sure all) are lost. I hear too distinct conversations. Both of which are the Gospel being presented. I am not sure if I have ever  been so encouraged.

I am so encouraged because in this moment I am reminded of what "missions" are. What being a "missionary" is. We came to Toronto to help with a church plant. There are specific streets, building and places we have planned to witness at. More importantly, our beds are upstairs waiting for us. 

But where does God have us? In a basement sitting at a table with people from Switzerland, Germany, and Israel. I don't know what the outcomes of these conversations will be, but I know that I just heard these words.... "I am extremely curious!".

What is missions? it is being ready. It is being willing. It is being obedient where you are. 

Praise God for His hand being in Toronto. Praise God for letting us join Him in His work!"

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” -Romans 10:13-15 

"Someone help Jordan!": Toronto day 1

My day began at 3:30 a.m. and at 4:45 a.m. I arrived at RDU airport where I joined five other people to head to Toronto, Canada. By 5:00  a.m. "Someone help Jordan!" had become a common  phrase. Though in all honesty, I did need help... it quickly  became a joke. 

When I stared at the check-in screen in confusion... "someone help Jordan!" 

When I barely slipped on ice... "someone help Jordan!" 

When I was struggling getting out of the car, my foot stuck in a seat belt... "someone help Jordan!" 

When I practically collapsed while going up the stairs with my 50 lb. bag... "someone help Jordan!"

When my laughter became uncontrollable and completely out of control... "someone help Jordan!" 

You get the point. The list could go on and on, and though it was sincerely a joke, to some degree the idea of "needing help" is unappealing, even in this situation. Pride begins to take control as humility fades away, and even though I laughed a little voice in my head was saying, "Jordan you got this!" 

The realization of this hit home tonight as I sat  praying in a living room in Toronto with an amazing group of people. One man prayed asking the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. He proclaimed, God we know we can't do this thing with out you! 

He prayed, "God, you tell us in Luke that if we ask, you will give it to us." 

Luke 11:13 says, "So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give the Holy spirit to those who ask him." 

Just moments before someone had also prayed, "God, you tell us we receive not because we ask not." 

It all clicked in my  head, and though at this moment I didn't think about "someone help Jordan," I later did and smiled.

I CANNOT do any good alone.  I cannot make a difference in Toronto this week alone. No good works can be done through me, alone. I need help. The encouraging thing is, God promises that if we ask for help He promises to give it to us. 

But we HAVE to ask. He clearly says, "for those who ask." He doesn't say, "I will give it to those who think they can do this alone." He doesn't say He will give it to those saying, "Jordan you got this." We receive not because we ask not. 

I am completely aware and humbly admitting, Lord, I can't do this alone. Praying, God,  come work through me in this lost city of Toronto. 

I am saying, "Someone help Jordan!"