Travis Moffitt

A few weeks ago in La Ceiba, Honduras we visited the Heaven's Door Christian School with our World Race Team.  Seven young adults who had, at that time been on their mission trip for 10 months, Gina (my wife), Noah (our 6-year-old son) and our Honduran friends, Jorge, Yaneth, Allison, Jimmy and Tatiana all invaded this educational facility.  We visited each classroom in groups of 3 or 4.  We took a few moments to share with each group of young students what life on the mission field was like.  The students were so welcoming and friendly to us.

We started with the younger aged classes first.  Kindergarteners are fun to hang out with in any language.  This school is a bi-lingual school so it made communicating for us a little easier.  The children were fascinated with all the stories our team members shared from their visits to other countries.  The World Race team had already been to several African and Asian countries before coming to Honduras.

Next Noah, Gretchen and I headed to a class of 2nd graders.  These young Honduran children were excited to hear about American football.  Gretchen shared about her love for other people.  Noah talked about "serving people from all the countries" he would visit.  To hear your 6-year-old son articulate what we have all been living out is a very moving experience.

Finally our little trio visited our last class for the day.  We found ourselves in a room of 6th graders.  About a dozen students listened with even greater focus and intentionality as we began to share about our experiences and travels to foreign lands.  They had lots of questions and were very engaged.

After a few moments I felt compelled to share with them the same message I have been sharing with churches in and around La Ceiba for the past several months: That Honduras is Blessed to Be a Blessing to All Nations; that these young children CAN be missionaries themselves.  I remember one young girl asked me, "How did you know you were supposed to be a missionary?" 

Even in her question I could see the hand of God moving her towards a life of missions.  I could hear His voice calling her name as a future Honduran missionary to the nations.

In the book of John, chapter 15, verses 16 and 17 Jesus says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other."

I shared with the class how 12 years prior I was on my first trip to Honduras.  I shared how we had visited the Garifuna village of Cusuna.  I shared with her how I fell in love with Honduras and the unreached peoples of the world and how at that moment I knew my life would ever be the same.  I knew that I had been recruited into a mission so much greater than the totality of my life.  I knew I would forever be on mission for the Gospel of Jesus. 

After I answered that little girl's question we asked the class, "Who would like to go on a mission trip?" and, "Who would like to be a missionary one day?"  

Almost the entire class raised their hands!

There are times after a mission trip that I ask myself: "Did this last trip actually make a difference?  Did we actually leave a lasting, sustainable impact with the people?"  

Based on the positive responses we encountered, I would say we did make a difference that day.

It's moments like this classroom visit that remind me that this whole life of missions was not my idea in the first place, but a calling from God.  And the life we live at Connect Global; the life lived out by so many missionaries around the world IS making a significant and lasting difference in the hearts and lives of those we encounter.  I am certain that one day that little girl will be a missionary.  I am certain that God has chosen her and appointed her to go, like others before her, to bear fruit that will last.

As you read this post, that very same voice may be calling your name.  Only you and God know.  But let me extend to you and open hand of invitation.  Give your life to the building of the Kingdom of God.  

I can promise you it will be a life well lived.

Travis Moffitt

"Love is kind" II Cor. 13:4

When Julio Diaz walked off the subway a teenaged young man was waiting for him with knife in hand.  The young man demanded Julio's money.  Julio handed over his wallet and then offered the man his coat as well.  Julio said, "If you're going to be mugging people all night you might need a coat to keep warm."  Julio's kindness threw the young attacker off.  The two ended up sharing dinner and having a heart-felt conversation.  The teenager eventually returned Julio's wallet to him along with his knife.  Julio treated him to dinner and gave him $20 to boot.

On any given day I can open up my social media accounts and read the onslaught of anger and vengeance spewed out at this world in the name of Jesus.  It's disturbing to hear others claim allegiance to my King and then in the name of His Kingdom unleash a barrage of hate, criticism and judgment at people with whom they have no relationship.  I was taught early on that you should praise in public and criticize in private.

How is it that as followers of the One who has shown us such great kindness, can at times show contempt with such impunity?  In the book of Romans, Paul reminds us: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 NIV

As followers of Jesus there is a kindness that we can show that is from God Himself.  Kindness in fact is Jesus' trademark.  It is His methodology to bring us to a place to change from our old ways and follow Him.  Kindness should be a trademark of our lives.

To overflow with kindness we must first be filled with love.  Paul tells us in II Corinthians that Love is Kind.  If we are filled with contempt for the people of this world then when our barrel is tussled we will over flow with anger.  Our words will be hateful and unkind.  We will criticize others in their moment of pain.  We will ridicule those found guilty.  We will express our own self-righteousness in face of those different from us.  We will be unkind.

If however we are full of love... If we have chosen (motivated by the love and compassion shown to us by Jesus) to love others then our lives and words will be dripping with kindness.  We will weep with those who weep.  We will bare one another's burdens.  We will not gloat over our enemy when he (or she) is defeated.  Instead we will bless those who hurt us and pray for those who despitefully use us.  We will be kind.

If we desire to see this world change it's ways and move towards a life full of the love and redemption of Jesus, then we should follow His example.  Let us love the people of this world so much that when they throw us around only kindness spills out.

"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence." Samuel Johnson

When I was a boy my father was given a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk.  It was driveable at the time but in need of repair and restoration.  As soon as he got it home it died.  He ordered the needed part to get the engine running but to no avail.  He and I had talked about fixing it up, and I held out hope for many years that one day we would indeed take the time, order the parts and fix that old car. Over the course of several years this very fine automobile sat in our front yard, deteriorating. We never fixed it.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Diligence is described as the effort towards a particular goal made quickly and often with the hope of completion.  As our world changes around us it is far too often that we fall away from our efforts and goals.  We can easily forget why we are here and lose the diligence needed to fulfill our God-given purpose. Our eyes become fixed on the shifting sands instead of on the prize ahead of us and we quit.

No one would define themselves as quitters.  We may not even admit to having ceased our work.  In fact often times we may even lie to ourselves and others about how much we are doing for God while we fill our days with everything but God.  Our work, our hobbies, even our good deeds can be the very things taking us away from our purpose.  Even things we may define as spiritual endeavors may take us away from what we should be doing.

There has been a great deal of discussion lately regarding the impending fall of our nation and maybe the end of the world.  Everything is so uncertain that surely this must be the end that was foretold in scripture.  While I recognize the urgency presented to us in the Bible, I wonder if at times we use this expectancy of "the end" as an excuse for complacency.  I know of those who while believing that the end is near chose to spend more time locked away in a sanctuary than sharing the good news of the Gospel with the world around them.  If in fact the world is about to end, shouldn't we have all the more urgency about sharing the love and opportunity of salvation presented in Jesus?

To be diligent in actions, we must be full of hope.  Hope that the Gospel truly can save people.  Hope that Christ in us truly is the answer for this world.  Hope that our lives lived for the cause of Jesus really can make a difference.  When the world around seems so overwhelming that our efforts seem in vain, we will simply surrender our diligence for expectancy of some form of relief.

Don't get me wrong, I'm eager to see the return of our Lord with my own eyes, quickly.  When that day comes I want to be found faithfully doing what He has asked us all to be busy doing: Making Disciples of All Nations.  When we spend more time complaining about the changes in our world than we do being an agent of change for good in the lives of those in our world, then we have lost the hope of Glory and the diligence it produces in our lives.

Imagine a barrel full of water.  As long as the barrel is sitting level and stable on some plain surface, the water will stay inside.  Undisturbed, the water can stay inside the barrel indefinitely.  Now take that barrel and begin to tussle it about.  The more you tilt the barrel, or the more violently you shake it, the more water will begin to spill.

So too are our lives.  We are all full of something.  Love, hate, bravery, fear, compassion, apathy.  As long as our lives are stable we can choose to keep what's in us safe and sound on the inside.  As believers in Jesus we are asked by Him to be filled with good and then to let that good out.  Whether we follow that request or not remains in our own power as long as all is at peace.  Take our lives and tussle them about, and just like the water spilling from the barrel, all that is within us will spill out onto the world around us.

All too often we are quick to measure the morality of the world around us by it's actions.  We look at the things people do to determine their "goodness" or badness".  We see the water spilling not realizing that these actions are not the true measure but only a result.  A result of the condition of the heart.

The disconnect here is that we are often times far too quick to pass judgement on others without looking at the condition of the water spilling from our own lives.  As we observe change taking place, especially change that we do not agree with, our own lives become more unstable.  Our own water begins to spill out.  At times this water is filled with Diligence, Kindness and Generosity.  Other times the water is full of apathy, anger and selfishness.  We sometimes respond to cultural changes with violence and hate and then call it a moral or righteous or even a Godly standard.  We disapprove of the dirty water we see in others all the while ignoring what is spilling out of our own lives.  And in so doing we ignore our own hearts.

I've mentioned three types of actions that I believe can mark our Christian Conduct in an Ever-Changing World.  To change what spills out of us we must first change what we put in.  To change our actions we must first change our hearts.  To allow Diligence to spill out, we must first be full of Hope.  To allow Kindness to spill out, we must first be full of Love.  To allow Generosity to spill out, we must first be full of Gratitude.

"The 21st Century has begun as an era of uncertainty, with a heightened focus on security and public safety." Gavin Newsom, California Lt. Governor

Never more have these words been more true.  Almost everyday our news headlines are peppered with posts of rapid and significant change.  Foreign nations who were once our enemies are now our friends.  Historically friendly nations are taking paths of opposition.  Small militant groups are gaining power and influence through the harshest of tactics.  The world as we know it is altogether different, every day.

Our very understanding and framework of morality is shifting like sand with modern culture. Even in our own neighborhoods, flags are being changed.  Marriage laws and definitions are changed.  Even the general mood towards our police and military are rapidly changing.  Those who we once viewed as protectors are often times shown as aggressors. 

As we wrestle through these ever changing cultural dynamics, I continue to hear many people trying to answer one simple question: How then should I live in this new world?

News reports, blog posts, social media outbursts (all seemingly louder than before) broadcast the myriad of opinions, evaluations and criticisms.  Especially for people of faith, it seems, the outcry of the "new standard or morality" is more apparent than ever.

I, like many of you, have my opinions as a man of faith.  I believe in Jesus the Messiah, I also believe that there are appropriate and inappropriate ways in which we can and, dare I say, should conduct ourselves.  After all, as Christians we do still represent someone else.  

Let us not be too quick to forget that before we are of our family or of this great nation or of our local church, we are indeed of Jesus.  We first and foremost represent Him and His Kingdom.  How would He want our behavior and our responses to culture to be and to sound?  What would He want us to say to the jihadist or the racist or the rebel or the same sex couple?  What would He want to be said to us?

I, like so many others, believe these are both exciting and intimidating times.  The days are full of change and opportunity.  Now, maybe more than ever before, we have a chance of fulfilling our King's final commission to take His Gospel to the whole world.  How we will carry that Gospel has become a significant question.  I can not say that I agree with many of the answers I've recently heard.  Likewise, You may not agree with me.

Over the next several blog posts I will share a few thoughts on these issues.  A few ideas that I find in Scripture and in the lives of those I respect.  I believe we have three primary calls of conduct in an ever-changing world: Diligence, Kindness and Generosity.

Your list may be longer or shorter than mine.  I don't claim to have an exhaustive list here.  I do believe that most of what needs to be said as Christians in this world can be wrapped up in these three types of actions.  I do believe we can gain greater influence in this world by mastering these three character traits.  I also believe that we can actually reach the whole world with the Gospel of Jesus by living a life full of Diligence, Kindness and Generosity.  After all, the Gospel message itself is marked by these three ideals.

Maybe, together, we will find the answer to the question of appropriate Christian Conduct in an Ever-Changing World.