Tuesday, September 14, 2010

I Was This Close to the Mission Field- Radical Read-Along Chapter 1

I'm linking up today with Marla's Radical Read-Along.  Won't you join us?

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Swirling.  I think that's the word that best describes my thoughts and emotions right now.  As God would have it, my reading of Chapter 1 of Radical coincided with my reading of the Compassion Bloggers' trip to our daughter's birth country, Guatemala.  The intersection of the two was enough to make me start taking mental stock of all our stuff and start imagining what they might go for on eBay!  And the adding up how many children we could sponsor with the money.  And then contemplating to which third world country we would be moving our family in the near future.

And then I ran smack dab into my two my sincere concerns about this journey: making impulsive decisions I cannot or will not follow through on and getting ahead of my husband in this process.  I am a passionate person.  When I know something is right or needed, I am ready to jump in with two feet.  Prayerful consideration, research, weighing options are often neglected in my zeal.  This has led to burn out and stress in many areas of my life as I've often taken on more than I should.  While I do believe God has placed in me this passion and zeal, I also recognize that I must learn to bring it under His authority before acting on my every whim.  And then there's my husband, he would probably like some say in the selling off of all our worldly goods and the dramatic relocation of his family, right?

I've come to the conclusion that, for now, I will do four things.  Two were suggested as preconditions for this journey by the author, David Platt: commit to believe whatever Jesus says and commit to obey what I have heard.  To those preconditions, I am adding two of my own: commit to pray for God to reveal how that obedience will look for me and my family and commit to encourage my husband to read along or at the very least to share with my him what I am learning so we walk this journey together.


Oh and we are going to write to the child in Uganda we sponsor through Watoto Childcare Ministries once a month.  When I read about the impact sponsor's letters had on the children, I was so convicted about how little effort we have put into corresponding with our little man.


I'd love to hear from you if you are reading along or if you've already read Radical.  How did Chapter 1 affect you?  What are you hoping for from this journey?  Have you sold everything and moved to Indonesia already???

17 comments:

Marla Taviano said...

Wow, wow, wow, Natalie. Were we separated at birth?? Prayed for you just now!!

me said...

I feel so similar. I am going to "steal" your 4 things.

Natalie said...

Thank you Marla for your prayers! And, yes, judging from the few things I know about you so far- passion and sense of humor- I think we might have been separated at birth- lol!

Natalie said...

Steal away, Lesley!

Shelli Bourque said...

Hi, Natalie! I am so with you on this. Or was, as this is my second time through. My husband and I read it together, which was definitely a huge plus. And God had been preparing both our hearts to receive the teaching. We didn't know exactly how we needed to respond, but we were open to listen and obey. It wasn't long before we did sell quite a bit on eBay and donated all the money to WorldVision. My 1000 Gifts post from July 19 talks about this if you are interested. Our continued response is working its way out in my Least of These Friday posts. We definitely know we are on a great God-adventure, even if we haven't moved to Indonesia yet!

alittlebitograce said...

i too am praying that my husband and i will be on the same page on this journey. like you, i'm also committing to writing my sponsored child in romania. he has been woefully neglected. i too was convicted by the compassion bloggers.

Amy Bennett said...

I've also insisted my husband buy the audio version as he hates to read.

Natalie said...

Thanks for stopping by Shelli. I'll check out that post on your blog you mentioned!

Anonymous said...

Natalie, thank you for your honesty. I can relate to what you are saying...I haven't read the book. Maybe I should. I am so struggling with finding time to read right now.

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

I respect your desire to not run ahead of God or your husband. Back in May {the first time I read Radical} it took my hubby longer for God to speak to His heart than mine and that is ok. Since then, we are on the same page for ministry and God is doing great things. You are definitely on the right track!

Natalie said...

Thank you for the encouragement, Melissa!

Mary, we are reading a chapter a week in the read along so we are going through it slowly but it is a short, easy to read book and I bet you could get through it quickly. Or just joins us next week :)

Unknown said...

Girl I LOVE this post -- and I'm the same way about things - I get all passionate and excited and just jump right in, with or without my hubby. But God has joined us so we must do this journey together right? :-) Thanks for sharing - I'm excited to see where God leads you!

Natalie said...

Thanks, Becca! And yes, this journey must be done together :)

Anonymous said...

I soooo tend to do the same thing! That passion lights a fire in us, doesn't it?! But your words..."I must learn to bring it under His authority before acting" ... so wise!

Thanks for stopping over!!

Sherri said...

I saw the book at Wal-Mart today and had no idea where I recognized the cover from. I bought it, just couldn't seem to shake the need. I just put it in my basket without looking at it or thinking. I am so glad I followed the leading! I have only read the first couple of pages at this point, and I am hooked already!

Chiming in, better late than never :o)

Sherri said...

Ok, I just completed chapter 1 and half way through it I took a picture texted it to my hubby and my Daddy and Maw with a note to get this book at the very next wal-mart they pass.

I feel a fire buring in me like I have not felt in years! Praise GOD \o/

Now, like you ladies I have to be ready to obey when the time is right, as I too have the burning to run ahead with full abandon, grabbing my hubby an dragging him along.

Oh this is awesome!!!

Thank YOU LORD for bringing this tool to me that is so line line with what I have been feeling lately but could not put my finger on.

Ya'll I am so blessed!!!! You dont know that day I have had and the weeks prior...this is answered prayer in a mighty way!!!!!!

Natalie said...

Yaya,
Your enthusiam is contagious! Can't wait to hear how you take your faith back from the American dream!

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