Following Jesus = Insane

We were recently at a church service where the pastor actually spoke the words, "Following Jesus is easy…"  

I wanted to jump out of my seat and yell

"LIAR!!!!!  Do not listen to this man!!"

And if there weren't 3,000 other people sitting next to me, I really might have.  

I understand pastors who want to get people in the church doors.  I understand (but wholeheartedly disagree with) wanting to make the Gospel attractive and comfortable so that people will come to know Jesus.  But saying it's an easy road is exactly opposite of what Jesus told us.

Jesus told us that in order to follow him, we have to choose him over all our possessions. 

That we have to choose him over all our relationships. 

That we have to choose him over our family.

That we have to choose him over our own lives.  

And that not many of us will be able to do all that. 

Not to mention the fact that his disciples spent the rest of the New Testament writing about how they did suffer for Christ, and ultimately they did (literally) sacrifice their own lives for the sake of his Gospel.

So to even insinuate that following Jesus is easy is just flat out heresy.  And is, I believe, what is responsible for producing a lot of "believers" but few "followers" in today's culture.  Kind of like this quote sums up perfectly:

"North American Christianity is 3,000 wide and 1/2 inch deep."

-  J.J. Packer, The Quest for Godliness 

I have been reading a new devotional, "Conversations," by Brian Rice, in which I highly recommend.  A few days ago it asked me to read Philippians 3:7-11 and reflect upon the kind of Christian life I want to experience.  Here's how those verses went in my mind:

"I want to die."  No I don't.  "I want to suffer the way that Jesus did."  No I definitely don't.  Who in their right mind would want to do these things?!"  That is insane and I just don't understand why I should want to want that.  

Devotions done, book closed.

And while there are days I just have to close the Bible and say "I don't get it," the important thing, I have found, is to keep the conversation going.  Maybe not that same day, or even week, just sometime when I can be honest with God about whatever I think.  

Today I realized, Paul was really insane for writing that.  And what makes a person insane?  Being in love.  Paul was that insane because he knew God.  He knew the sacrifices Jesus made for him, and that kind of insane gratitude had to be his response because he actually understood it.  

I can't fathom knowing Christ that well.  It's completely terrifying.

But it does make me realize that since I'm not that insane yet, there's a lot more to God than what I understand right now.  There's a lot more of Him I need to get to know.  There's a lot more room in my life for Him to help me become more like Jesus.        
   

Observing Ourselves

For our next video update we will be including a lot of clips from past videos, so I have been skimming over the last 3 years (wow) of footage today.  It has been really fun to look back at how much has changed, how much we've changed, the ideas we used to have and how they are panning out in our present reality.

A few things I have noticed through observing ourselves/our life in these videos:

1)  We always talk about the weather.  

2)  Winter does not look cold in the videos.  But I promise you... 

3)  We had so much more energy before we were parents :)

4)  Our perspective on missions has changed drastically.

5)  Chile is beautiful.  More beautiful than we could have ever imagined.  

6)  We seem like we have a really awesome life.  Which, we do... but there is so much of our hardship, pain, and struggles that definitely does not come through these videos.  Still trying to figure out ways to be more real in that aspect. 

7) I'm pretty sure I say "Hey guys!" about a million times.

8) Our Spanish has gotten waaaaayyy better since August of 2011!  Praise God. 

9) Looking back at how we talked in the beginning confirms that we are feeling kind of burnt out in a lot of ways right now.

10) Coen isn't even a year old and I can't remember him as small as he is in our April video.

Sometimes, (more often as time goes on,) I think about how weird it is to have a video update of our life each month.  But it's time like these that make me thankful for the ability to "observe" ourselves from the outside, remember all the good and bad of the last few years, and remember how faithful God has been to us in our life in the south!

Sorry bout it

I realized today that I haven't been blogging much because I feel like they have to be really well thought out and deep entries about life and its deeper meaning... and lately my mind has been in WAY too many places to do something remotely close to that.  Plus, social media in general has really been freaking me out lately, but that's another issue entirely!

So here's what's been going on in my/our heads lately in a few random words...

We have officially hired our first teacher for goEnglish, and have had 3 consultations this week with new clients!  We are the most excited we've ever been about this thing.  

The summer months (Jan-Feb) are so chill around here.  Probably half the city is gone.  There is hardly any traffic, which is awesome.  There are also a lot of closed businesses, which is not always convenient when you need clothes dry-cleaned or a non-scheduled doctor's appointment for a 10-month old with pinkeye :(

Going to the doctor's office always makes me miss living in the States. 

Being a "stay at home" mom is the hardest job I've ever had.  And I only have one kid.  I don't know how people do this with multiple children.  And we want multiple children.  I don't know how this is going to work.

For the first time in over a year, I feel like we have somewhat balanced our work life.  Running your own business definitely has its perks, but the start-up is brutal.  I really hope that phase is actually done and it's not just the summer slowed pace that's giving us this balance.

This week's focus: Have better posture.  

We really need a small group this year.  That is directly related to our need for some spiritual renewal.  Christianity was never meant to be personal, and we are missing the key component of living it out with other people.  Which is so hard.  But so necessary.  You would think working as a missionary would provide that community (we did as well,) but we are actually feeling really isolated from authentic Christian community.  

Today is Park Day!  I can't remember if I ever blogged about that.  I know I was meaning to. But for now there is a tiny one I must chase around the living room!

Anyway, here's to more blogging.  Happy Friday!!


   

Keitt Update - January 2014

So we stayed up late last night to get this posted in January, but we missed it by a mere few minutes!  



Hope you enjoy seeing some moments from our crazy last month.

December Update - Becoming Poor

As it is for probably most of you, December is our busiest month of the year.  Ironically, when it should be a time of reflection and slowing down to meditate on the gift of Jesus, Tracey and I usually spend it resenting each overbooked weekend and complaining about too much activity, too much food, too much to get done in too little time...

We become stressed, angry, exhausted, impatient. 

We are distracted by to-do lists, gift-giving, over-celebrating, and trying not to look exhausted in pictures.  

The first day of the month we were supposed to run a half marathon.  8 hours before the race, Tracey got a really nasty stomach virus.  I was soon to follow, and sadly Lil' Man did later on.  We were knocked flat for DAYS, with our biggest weekend of 3 major events soon approaching in 4 short days.  And guess what?  The world moved on.  

Last week, about the time we would be editing our video (yes, this month is supposed to be a video...) our computer crashes.  We both get this look of 50% panic and 50% complete relief, because we know we don't have an option now of not being able to work on some things that just "had to get done..."  And you know what?  The world moved on again.  

While they are seemingly small and insignificant events, I find the timing of them to be anything but coincidental.  God is humorously reminding us to slow down.  He is reminding us of the things that are most important.  He is giving us perspective.

We could tell you of the many events that went on these past 2 months, show you pictures and videos, and we will at some point.  But not this month.

This is a time to slow down, to reflect, to remember what God has already done for us.    

God has been rocking my world on what solidarity with the poor looks like.  If you want to see what I mean by that, read our last blog post.

I just can't get over that Jesus chose to become poor with us.  That he chose to live in our world.  That he chose to give up everything.  And he did all of that for us.

Our prayer is that we would not forget to remember what's really important about Christmas - Not just in this month of December, but each day.  That we would not forget that this is the most extreme love the world has and will ever see.  And that we would not allow culture or consumerism steal this time of true celebration away from us. 

January Prayer Requests

1) To pursue Christ more intentionally  

2) Being wise with making technical/logistical changes to goEnglish 

3) Knowing how to best love people

I Am the Rich, Young Ruler

There's a restlessness in me I can't ignore.

A doubt.  A deeper understanding.  A sadness because I don't want to do what I know I need to.

What does solidarity with the poor really look like?

I drive up to House of Hope in my car.  I know there is not another Subaru for kilometers from where I am now.  I make sure to leave nothing in it.  I am thankful for the alarm, and ashamed that I am so concerned over a possession that no one in this neighborhood could remotely afford. 

It's Sunday, and I am picking up the kids for church.

"Tia, your car is so bonito!  I like it!"  

They are amazed when I roll up their window from my seat as we get on the highway.  They look at Coen's carseat in the back, something so "necessary" that most of them have never seen up close.  I think of how many younger siblings they all have.

We live in such different worlds....

I sit across from Susi as we are planning out the month's events.  She tells me of her dream to study.  She wants to study social work, so that she can learn how to help our kids and their families.  She can enroll for classes next year, but she'd have to not work in the mornings.  With tears in her eyes, she asks me to pray for someone to help her pay the $180 a month it will take to study.  

Please don't ask me how much my undergrad cost.  

She tells me that since her son is in college now too, her $600/month paycheck won't be enough to pay for them both, as well as the monthly bills.

Please don't ask me how much we make each month.

We pray together.  She cries as she thanks me for all I do for this ministry, and she is so thankful for our friendship.  I am thankful, too.  But I can't help but think about all the parts of my life and my experiences I will probably never share with her.  Although she has never once, not even remotely judged me for having money or possessions, it leaves me sad to know that 

we live in such different worlds...  

We enter the classroom where the kids are playing.  Coen is a little over 3 months.  7 year old Claudia wants to hold him, touch him, love on him, and all I can think about is what if you have lice again?  

I wonder if I will ever let Coen play on the carpet, knowing where their shoes have been.

It's not that I don't love you guys, I'm just trying to protect my son.

In that instant I realize that I am trying to protect Coen from the things our kids here experience everyday.  I am shocked with the realization that my standards for my child are so much higher than the kids I "serve" here.  

Jesus didn't live in a different world.

When I used to read the story of the rich young ruler, I always came away happy.  Happy because I have never been "rich" according to U.S. standards.  Happy because I've never been controlled by the extent of my possessions or paycheck.  Happy because I "gave up so much" to become a missionary.

But could I give up everything I owned and give to the poor?  Could I sacrifice the safety and security of my family to live in the same world as the community I serve?  

And then I realize, I am that rich, young ruler.  I am walking away sad because I know that those are things I just won't do right now.

There is a sadness in me that understands what following Christ really means: following Him.  

Choosing sacrifice.

Choosing poverty.

Is it possible to choose these things??  Lord, I want to follow you.  Help me to choose these things the way you did.

  

November Update - 'Tis the Season

We are currently gearing up towards the one time of the year we really love and hate all at the same time!  With it being the end of the normal year as well as the academic year, it is a time filled with end of the parties, graduations, Christmas celebrations, for about every group of people you are remotely involved with.  We love it because it's a lot of celebrating. But we hate it because even too much of a good thing can still be too much :)  Let's just put it this way: The month of December is the only time of the year ever that Tracey actually gets sick of eating :)

We're not complaining, though.  We are thankful to have people to celebrate with and jobs that allow us to serve others in this holiday season.  It's a crazy time, but it's a crazy good time.

With that said, here is a summary of what's been keeping us active, inspired, and/or running around like crazy this month:


We are taking our House of Hope kids to church!  Three churches, actually.  We are taking them to our Chilean churches that support us financially to say thank you and have them pray for our kids.  It was this time last year I was gearing up for my 8+ weeks of public speaking, and this year I get to watch our Director, Susi, present our kids to these congregations.  I am again reminded of how much we need community in our lives.

The end of the Sunday School year is approaching.  A year of conversations, investment, craziness, organizing, planning, discipling, etc. is coming to an end.  My (Tracey here) kids are awesome and I don't want to see any of the graduating class go.  Typically there has always been that one kid who just drives you nuts, but all of our kids are just stinkin' awesome.  I'm going to miss them over the summer break.  Speaking of the summer break, it's going to be a lot of work and energy honing in on the things we've all learned through out the year. To me it's incredible necessary if we want to be "filled back" up, trained, equipped and in tune with a fresh vision for the year to come.   

We had our first job interview… as the interviewer!  We are in the process of bringing down our first teacher from the States to teach for goEnglish.  This is a huge answer to prayer!  God has provided a qualified candidate for us that seems to really share the vision we have for our business and how we want to serve the community through it.

An expanding business brings a lot of questions.  After a year and a half of business, we are reevaluating and learning from our mistakes in order to do the best job we can and keep us sane.  Bringing on employees now brings a whole new world to conquer, so we are doing some small business advising, rewriting some of our policies, and trying to learn everything we need to know about legally hiring employees in Chile.  While at times it seems overwhelming and super intimidating, we keep remembering that God has provided what we've needed for this business one step at a time, and we trust that this will be no different. 

I am graduating from Bible Institute.  I (Christine) took my last two classes this month from our Bible institute (seminary-like classes) and will graduate with a certificate of ministry next month. Tracey speaking, I on the other hand will not be graduating, no questions please, maybe sometime soon though.     

The end-of-the-year "paseo" is in 2 weeks!  This year we are taking all of Tracey's Sunday School kids, plus House of Hope kids, PLUS a short-term mission team of kids from the U.S. to our end of the year "outing."  We will swim, grill out, play soccer, and hang out all day.  We've never done this with a mixed-language group, or with House of Hope kids, or with an infant, so it should be a pretty memorable event. 

60 pieces of chicken will fit in that oven!

We have a mobile child.  It is unbelievable to see how quickly Coen changes and grows and learns new things!  This now includes crawling everywhere, climbing, "walking" along the side of the couch…  And he just loves every bit of it!  Especially going for things like the ironing board, doors that should have been shut, and anything that has a screen.

Who needs a play yard?

This guy!

I am trying to figure out how to get anything done during the day.  See previous paragraph.

We are running a half-marathon.  Next Sunday we will be running a half-marathon along the coast!  Should be a good time.  Christine has trained, I have not.  Sports are 95% mental right?

Nice weather for a long run

Happy Thanksgiving, Ya'll!

December Prayer Requests

1) Following God's vision for goEnglish, Sunday School, and House of Hope

2) Dedication in planning 

3) Patience and energy in the craziness of December