Nashville Friends and Otter Creek Family:

As citizens of one of the most influential countries in the history of the world, we are constantly faced with the stark realities of the wealth we enjoy and the poverty that plagues others. For a long time, I hid behind guilt. I stayed up late feeling “bad” and “ashamed” trying to find ways to simply appease God as if God was the helicopter parent trying to find ways to remind me how little I was doing to change the world.

But I don’t think God primarily works like this.

I think God is interested in inviting us into the pain and suffering of the world because God understands something profoundly hidden about human existence. When we enter into the stories of others, our own wounds, insecurities, and narcissistic tendencies get swallowed up in the realization that many of the problems we have are not problems worth having.

Nashville/Otter Creek has a chance to participate in and invite others to do likewise in the World Vision Step Into Africa.

The OC/Step Into Africa Facebook Page is a helpful place to learn more about this week’s agenda.

Step Into Africa is simply a chance for you (and your neighbors, co-workers, families, and friends) to see the world from different eyes. We’re inviting you because we think it will ultimately bring a deeper sense of God’s presence and purpose in our lives together.

NOTE: If you have reserved your ticket, you still need to indicate what time you’ll be participating. You can do so by going to this site to reserve your time slot. If you have a ticket, you still need a slot. If you don’t have a ticket, you can get one at this site also.

May God continue to use to help repair God’s world, one story at a time.

Peace,

Josh