When I speak to individuals and groups many people come up and tell me they don’t know how I can do what I do (leave the US and serve in Kenya)…in a few instances I could respond with the same statement. When working with pastors in Los Angeles’ skid row, I was amazed how they could interact with drug addicts (who were out of their minds) so easily and told them so (at the same time they were asking me how I could serve in Kenya). In the end we always agreed it is only by the Lord’s grace we can do what we are called to do.
More specifically it is because I love the Lord God more than I love anything else. I will be the first to admit I don’t always act as if I love Jesus above all else, but it does drive me forward, make me ask for forgiveness when I don’t, and maintains my passion for what He has called me to do. If I loved myself more than the Lord I would not subject myself to living in a third-world country away from the comforts of the United States. I would be enjoying my retirement and the comforts the States has to offer. If I loved my wife more than I loved the Lord I would not subject her to a future I know she never dreamed it would be. I am sure, the way our lives were four years ago, she thought life would be a pleasing day-to-day relaxing event by now, not a series of “waiting on the Lord” moments to have even her simplest of needs met because her husband gave away their retirement to work with children in Kenya. If I loved my children more than I love the Lord I would not be leaving them alone in the US, but would continue to be at their side giving them advice and comfort as they become young men and women. If I loved my friends more than I love the Lord I simply would not leave them behind, but would continue to enjoy their daily company. If I loved my career more than I love the Lord then I would never have went from making a very good living to earning well under the poverty standards of the United States and now having to request funding from family and friends to simply exist while proclaim the Gospel in Kenya.
The funny thing about all of the above; the only reason I love the Lord more than anything else is because He loved me first…If He hadn’t (and did not extend His grace) I would not, nor could not, love Him above all else…in reality I actually had nothing to do with it…funny.