We have choices. All throughout our lives we have choices. We can choose our faith, we can choose the people who surround us, we can choose how to live our daily lives. I choose to be a peacemaker. This week in Pittsburgh, we chose to be bridges to the cross. The theme of 2 Corinthians 5: 16-20 was appropriate for Pittsburgh, a city connected by bridges necessary for transportation. We choose to build, cross, and burn bridges in our lives. Reconciliation is a bridge. "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:18) Jesus gave us the opportunity to be peacemakers. All this is from God. What is the 'this'? Is 'this' the relationships we are blessed with? Is 'this' the world that we are given? Or is 'this' the struggle and the pain that every human encounters? Perhaps 'this' is the bridge we must all cross into God's loving arms. Throughout the week, the Rainbow youth heard an array of speakers. We heard Shane Hipps speak about how we are all "wonderfully, uniquely made." We listened to Calenthia Dowdy give her story of Luke 15, the prodigal son. Her story bridged the cultures between congregations and cultures. We embraced a mother and daughter's tale of reconciliation after struggles with alcohol and drug addictions, and Jeniffer Dake spoke about letting Jesus take our burdens, and what it means to be an ambassador of Christ.
Everyone has a story to tell. Our bridges are all different, our reconciliations different, but we are all ambassadors of Christ. We all have words that others will benefit from. In times of conflict, it is our relationships and diplomatic experiences that will serve us well. That is why we are a peace church. Not only must we be reconciled to each other, but we must also be reconciled to God.
The phrase, "Let Go, Let God" was said after every worship session. It resonated with me strongly. They are only four words, but some of the most meaningful words I have ever heard. It is a struggle to be able to let God take over your life. In order to do so, we must let go: of our burdens, our problems, our struggles, our fears, our relationships, our entire lives, and let God take control, for He will bring us all the happiness and the strength and guidance we could ever need. So, to sum things up: We are working through Jesus, for Jesus, and with Jesus. We are bridging borders globally and inter-personally. We are burning bridges that connect us to sin and dysfunction. We are reconciling relationships between our fellow humans and with God. We are letting go, and letting God take control.
On another note, one of the most interesting things that I experienced in my week at Convention, was the sheer amount of support that I had for my gap year with MCC. I was astounded to find out from my mother on Friday that I am only $200 away from my fundraising goal of $4,600. This is huge! The support I have been given at Rainbow is so immense, and I have no idea how to go about thanking all the people who have given money to help me serve others next year. In Pittsburgh, there were so many Mennonites, young and old, who were/are participants in voluntary service and have done the same things I am on my journey to. It was such a relief to attend the seminar, "Unexpected Revelations" and hear six young adults speak about their experiences with Mennonite Mission Network. Although that is a different agency than what I am going through, it was so beneficial for me to meet other high school graduates doing the same type of gap-year Mennonite service that I am doing and to know that they have the same fears I do. I have come back to Kansas City feeling much more relief and excitement! I will post an official Bolivia update later on, I just wanted to say my piece on here!
