Kristin Lundquist's Blog
Numbness / 12.08.08, 04:20 PM
November 15th, 2008. Weekly reflection.
I feel like this past week I have heard a lot more of people’s stories at my work site, Chicago Christian Industrial League, and in my neighborhood. At CCIL, during a conversation with a resident there, I found myself distracted with the thoughts: “How am I not aware?? How was I never aware!” But really, how did I stay asleep, so deep in my slumber, not even a bit disturbed by the harsh realities that were going on in the world? When I was at home in Minnesota, I always thought that I was doing the right thing for God. But as I look back how rarely was I ever escaping my comfort zone. I did homeless ministry twice a week and I absolutely loved it. I felt like I was making a difference in the world, or at least the community. I am not saying that what I did was insignificant, or was a waste of time, and I absolutely think God used me there. I’m not saying that other people that serve twice, or even once, a week are not doing enough or wasting time… It’s more the fact that I spent MORE time CONSUMED by my addictive pattern to have FUN. (meaning time with friends “hanging out”.) I think that it numbed me to God’s best for my life. It numbed me to using more time with connections I had made with homeless, which is a beautiful gift and passion God gave me. (I also know people have different passions and God calls people to different things) Ever since I have come to Mission Year I have heard people’s stories and seen things going on in the city, and it has been slowly waking me up from that deep slumber…Then this past week, BOOM. I’m awake. But it’s one of those feelings you can’t keep inside. It’s a good feeling to have, but it’s also really hard to know what to do with it. I wanna’ scream out loud, “ WAKE UP!” Because for me, and I’m sure many other Christians, I didn’t know I was asleep. I wasn’t doing all I could for my Savior. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) I think that many Christians fire’s have been or are becoming extinguished and need to be revived. I so desperately desire that for myself and all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Fresh wind, fresh fire. Revive us Lord from our spiritual deadness. Revive me God from being so consumed with myself. Keep stretching us Lord and teaching us how to better love You, and love Your people. Amen.
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Wow sister! Thank you for sharing that. It was truly powerful and a true testimony to the amazing things you have been learning here. I am so glad to have you in my familia!
By Katie Hargrove / Dec 9, 04:20 PM / #
Thanks for sharing this Kristin! What a powerful testimony. Shawn
By Shawn / Dec 10, 04:41 PM / #
Hey Kristin!
I really enjoyed reading this. I did MY last year in La Villita and also worked at CCIL so I wanted to say hi. I miss the people there a lot. :) Thanks for sharing what God’s teaching you – its such a powerful motivation for us all to either wake up or keep fighting against sleep.
By Joanna Helton / Dec 30, 10:40 AM / #