30-Day Trek: Venture Into a World of Enough

For the next 30 days, we have committed to reading a reflection/devotional called "Trek" put out by the Mennonite Central Committee. This reflection includes quotes, stories and questions that center on the theme "enough." Our family is preparing for one year of service in the country of Haiti.

After the earthquake on January 12, 2010 we started feeling like this was the time to pursue a calling to serve the people we have come to love in Haiti. At this point, our goal is to leave for Haiti in January 2011. We know that leading up to that departure we need to downsize our belongings and emotionally as well as spiritually prepare for life in a developing country. A friend shared Trek with us and we want to share our thoughts with you. We expect this will be a journey to help us decide what is "enough." We invite you to join us on this venture into "a world of enough."

What is enough?

Now that is a great question. What is enough food? What is enough clothing? What is enough shelter? What is enough time for friends? Enough for God?

A Filipino pastor once observed, "The point of our Christian faith is not that we have less than we need, but that everyone has enough."

Our North American culture screams at us that we need "more." But as we quest for more it is often at the expense of our neighbors, our family, our selves. Do we really need one more car? One more outfit? One more gadget? Do we really need one more minute? One more day? So we can fill that day with more appointments, more obligations, more on our to-do list. When is it ever enough?

Today's Trek Reflection challenged Ericlee and I to think about this question: What was I created to do and be? In other words, where do we want to go with our lives? How can we find our purpose and fulfill it.

In the Bible in John 10:7-18 it says "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." What is abundant life anyway? When I think of abundance I think of words like overflowing, full, plenty. In the United States, it's easy to get caught up in the "abundance" we have. I'll be the first to admit that I long for a little more money, a few more cute outfits, a lot more vacations and boxes of expensive chocolate. But somehow I don't think that's what Jesus was talking about when he said he was bringing abundant life. It's definitely not about a life full of stuff. I'm pretty sure that stuff does not bring fullness and love and peace because there are a lot of people in this country who have an abundance of stuff and are absolutely miserable.

My husband described it well. He said abundant life is when our gifts and passions are perfectly married with our vocation. It's the opportunity to feel fulfilled because we are living out what God intended for us. According to Trek, "We live a fulfilled life when we find out how we personally fit into the larger vision."

What does abundant life mean to you?