You don’t need to make a huge move or change in order to begin living in the purpose that God has for you right now.
For many young people, and those of us who are restless by nature, the thought of a new adventure, in any place other than their hometown, can seem like the solution to every problem. We may think, “I will be more effective in my ministry if I can start fresh somewhere else, without all this baggage”—or perhaps,“I will be freer to pursue my passions and spread my wings without the watchful eyes of my parents, previous teachers and youth leaders.” However, as the old adage goes, “Wherever you go, there you are” (Thomas à Kempis,The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis: A New Reading of the 1441 Latin Autograph Manuscript[Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2007], 49). The fact is, we cannot escape issues that hinder us from effective ministry just by changing our location. We must accept that there will be times when people interrupt our lives, whether we think we have time for them or not. The key to these interruptions is not a move or change of our physical selves, but a shift in our spirit. We can follow the example that Jesus sets by being willing to face those situations through the power of Christ in us; to serve others as He modeled—with love and kindness.
