Mucking Things Up

I think there should be no argument if I say that humans are very good at mucking things up. Even when we have the best intentions, things don't work out, or we end up doing more harm than good. I actually really dislike watching the news or reading the papers, because it is so painfully evident to me that we mess things up, for ourselves and for others. 

As a youth ministry student here at North Park, I have heard and learned about short term missions, like the ones that the Global Partnerships office support. It's sad to hear that sometimes, even on trips where we try to work for the Lord and glorify Him, we mess things up. 

Short term missions are often easier for students, both in college and in youth groups, and cheaper. But swooping in, determined to save the people who live where we are going, and intent on having all the answers, is often detrimental. 

Thankfully, during my time at North Park and in my youth ministry classes, I've come to realize, almost painfully, that I do not, nor will I ever, have all the answers. 

None of us will. In light of that, we can change our focus during short term missions. We can't go into these trips thinking that we will end the injustice, tyranny, poverty, etc, in the matter of days that we are there. 

It takes time. We can, however, be a witness. One of the aspects we focused on in training is something I find very profound- When we come back, back to our cushy lives and our privileges, we must not let what we've encountered stay the same. 

We have to work to change the injustices that we see. But in doing that, we have to know that we cannot do this on our own. It's not a one person job. It will take time, and awareness, and advocacy. Our short term missions do not end after the week that we are serving in a new city. We cannot come back and go one the same way that we always have. 

So here's to all the trips, not just mine to Los Angeles. Here's to God's call, and God's work, that will be done through us. Not to change things by storm, and glorify ourselves. But by devoting our experience to effect positive change when we come back. 

Here's to not mucking things up.