Leading an Unconventional Life

I wanna be Your hands & feet
I wanna be Your voice every time I speak
I wanna run to the ones in need
In the name of Jesus 

I wanna give my life away, all for Your kingdom’s sake
Shine a light in the darkest place
In the name of Jesus

~Send Me Out by Fee

I'm not one that typically conforms to society. This might be more apparent on the days that I decide wearing neon colors is a remarkably good idea. But it's also true when it comes to decisions that I've made about how to lead my life for the past year and a half. I've applied and interviewed for jobs within the field of exercise physiology, and even for a soccer statistics position, but still have not obtained that "real" job that some people insist on questioning me about. I'm not saying that I will never use the degree I earned in college, but I do believe that at this point in time, I'm not meant to utilize it. God certainly has different plans for how I conduct my life. Although I occasionally wish that I led a "normal" life like everybody else, I think I have finally realized that I'm meant to live unconventionally. I'm that square peg that won't fit into the round hole of life.
Two weeks ago I found myself sitting in the Best Buy Theater in Times Square hoping to hear Brian Houston preach at Hillsong. As fate would have it, Carl Lentz was actually leading the 12:30 service, but what he spoke about was something that I really needed to hear, especially heading into a Samaritan's Purse rebuild. At some point during the message, Pastor Carl mentioned how we all need to stop being so focused on the cultural view of success and rather focus on the biblical view of success. Pastor Lentz said that if we compared Jesus against the cultural view of success, it would appear that he was an abject failure, when in all honesty, Jesus was successful beyond anybody's wildest dreams. He also emphasized that God's plan is typically contrary to our earthly plan and that we needed to start viewing God's interruptions as invitations.
After the sermon, I began thinking about my own life. While I enjoyed success in the cultural sense during college, ever since I graduated, God has been interrupting and shaping my life to fit His plan as opposed to mine. To outsiders, I might appear to have failed because I don't hold a full time job, which is why I choose to focus on what the Bible says, as opposed to what the world says. If you look at Matthew 4:19-20, it states, "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." This is the scene where Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew to be disciples. It's remarkable how they demonstrated obedience to Jesus by opting to leave their careers in order to follow him. This passage has reassured me about my decision to essentially sacrifice my career in favor of continually returning to the campground I have worked at since the summer of 2008, along with volunteering with Samaritan's Purse when I am able.
Culturally speaking, this seems like a crazy lifestyle because it means that I am either living with my parents, on friend's couches, church floors, in an RV in the middle of winter, or in my car. Basing my life off of what God commands, though, I feel like I'm on the right track. I'm willing to kill the desire in my soul to be comfortable. I'm willing to answer the call to be God's hands and feet all over the country because I was created to serve those around us. Choosing to be selfless in a world that almost demands you be selfish is certainly unconventional, and I'm perfectly content with having the world feel that I'm obscure and peculiar. Sure the prying questions can become overwhelming at times, but that's when I have the opportunity to share with people that I'm content serving God through Samaritan's Purse or befriending misfits that I meet along the way. The biggest blessing is when God reveals to me that He is shining through my life into those around me. I can't tell you how amazing it felt to have someone pull me aside in a crowded bar to tell me that they think it's awesome that I choose to spend time helping others and that my life is cool. This happened to me last week and I totally gave God all the credit because I had only made two passing comments in the matter of six hours about Samaritan's Purse, and it was proof that He was shining through my life because it was a completely unwarranted complement that came hours after any mention of Samaritan's Purse.
I feel I'm one to reflect St. Francis of Assissi when it comes to evangelism. He is credited with the quote, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." I do not believe in berating people with what is right and wrong. I believe it is important to love people and to build relationships and trust based upon common interests that allow openings for me to share my faith. But the most important way to witness to someone is by living out your faith, not just preaching at people. Anybody can talk the talk, but not everybody can walk the walk, and the walk is way more important than the talk. (Say that five times fast)
The long and the short of it is that I believe I am currently living my life exactly the way God wants me to right now. He has created me for this moment in time to be friends with the people I'm friends with and have exposure to certain groups of people because He believes that He can make an impact through me. If that means hanging out in bars dancing to the Bee Gees, dragging canoes in the pouring rain, delivering icecream, driving drunk customers to campsites, stacking firewood, or sweeping a camp store, I'll do it because in all that I do, I am serving Jesus. This list might spark controversy for some, but I'm a firm believer in reaching those who are so greatly lost in this world. Luke 5:30-32 states, "And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?' And Jesus answered them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'" I am even more firmly convinced of this with the Mysteryland Festival right around the corner, which has hindered my ability to serve with Samaritan's Purse down in the south with tornado and flood cleanup. Though my heart yearned to be able to serve in those areas, I have no doubt that I'm right where I'm supposed to be working at a campground that is partnering with the facility hosting Mysteryland.
We all have different callings in life and different groups of people that we are meant to interact with to make an impact for the Gospel. Not everybody's walk will look the same because it was tailored made for a specific individual, but we should always reflect Christ in the long run because we are made in His image. To the world, my life doesn't make much sense. I'll let you in on a little secret, though. It doesn't make much sense to me either. I sometimes question what the purpose of all of it is, but I don't doubt that God has a bigger plan for my unconventional life. So I will continue to entertain the customers at the campground, go into New York City to either visit Hillsong or go to a concert with friends, and serve with Samaritan's Purse. And the next time you're confused by what exactly it is that I do, just ask questions. I'd be more than happy to go into more detail and regale you with tales of my adventures serving God. Just remember, not everything in life is supposed to make sense when measured against the cultural norms.