A schooling in generosity

I got back from New Staff Orientation with CRM (Church Resource Ministries, the parent organization of InnerCHANGE) on Saturday afternoon. It was an excellent time of learning about and from this particular organization of believers. I greatly appreciate their emphasis on relationships and moving according to God's directing and not according to projects or results. I was blessed immensely by their fellowship and love of God.

While I learned many things at the orientation, I was struck by the hospitality of the house where I stayed. The woman of the house was abundantly gifted in generosity. She is the mother of one CRM staff and supports many different missionaries (with the goal of supporting one on every continent). She has always had her house open to whomever has been in the area and needed a place to stay. She even keeps her son's old car to give to anyone staying at her home. And yes, the ultimate, she once gave the shirt right off her back. (I'm guessing she had one on underneath but she didn't mention in it the story.)

I mentioned to her that I had a missionary friend in Peru in need of a laptop, nothing fancy but something that would work. I thought she might know someone who had one. Instead, she gave me an old one she hadn't used in years. It works great (aside from a dead battery) and I'm excited to get it functioning in Spanish and off to my friend soon.

One phrase she used often was "You can't outgive God". She lives it and God proves it.

I can only wish and pine to be as generous as that. Her life and how she gives challenged me. It showed me there not only one way to give all, sell to the poor, and come to follow Jesus. With radical giving like that, she is living that call out; everything she owns is God's. God continually is meeting her needs along with the needs of so many others around the world. Even though she "has" much, she treats it with the attitude of a stranger and sojourner in this world.

Along with her own life, I was struck by the way God is moving in so many of the CRM staff. Many of them are older (as in over twice my own age), but instead of settling and slowing down their lives, God is changing everything. Their hearts, their locations, their positions, etc. It is scary but also so refreshing to see God still messing with us no matter our age, occupation, or location as long as we are open and wholly surrendered to Him.

I say this as an encouragement to all. Open yourself up to God, submit all of you. Your life, your stuff, your attitudes, your relationships, your goals: all of it to God. Who knows where He will take you. Personally, I still can't even plan out this summer, and after two years in Caracas.....???? However, what an exciting, deep, and wonderful journey of life to make beside and following our Savior. Seeking that is to press on for Joy!