There's Linsanity... and then there's us

Jeremy Lin has been in Hong Kong this weekend. He did a few basketball clinics and such and then had an opportunity to share his faith and testimony at the Asia Expo Center to 10,000+ people with live stream broadcasts in at least five other locations throughout the city yesterday (Sunday). 

Jeremy Lin is kind of a big deal in HK. 

I was meeting up with my girls yesterday and we decided to meet up at the International Christian School and watch the broadcast....

Let me start by saying that most anyone who knows me, knows that 

1) I don't generally behave well in public (add two other girls who are just as ridiculous and you've got a pretty loud and obnoxious, but hilarious mess going on).

2) I can't sit and watch anything quietly, ever. 

3) I'm a thinker. 

4) I get long-winded when the Spirit starts to speak (so my apologies).

So the girls showed up with ALL of Brit's belongings (as she will be leaving China in just a few short days :( ) sleep-deprived and wired on coffee and excitement (over seeing me, of course). I was jet-lagged and coffee deprived and just as excited to see my girls again. We talked and laughed through the entire broadcast. Yes, I realize this was totally rude. Judge if you must, but it is what it is at this point (and I had a blast). Despite my rudeness, I loved what Jeremy had to say. The majority of Asian/Chinese culture is built on the premise of success, of being the very best to get the very best. This is the epitome of happiness and a good life. But if you know anything about Jeremy Lin's story, you know that while he reached the mountaintop of success seemingly overnight, the story behind the story is one of failure after failure, one disappointment after another. But he didn't focus on the before the mountain, but rather he pointed to what was missing on top of that mountain. Jeremy pointed out very clearly that in the world's eyes, he'd reached that "ideal success" but never found himself content with his success except for when he was able to find his worth in Christ and not his accomplishments. In front of tens of thousands of people, Jeremy Lin shared the gospel message of God's unconditional and unchanging love and faithfulness. 

As I sat there rudely witnessing this amazing moment for which God had prepared this man for, I was reminded once again that every moment we have is one given by God, purposed to an end that we often have no concept of. And yet, just as Jeremy can look back and see the string of events that led to what we now know as Linsanity, I can look back and see the string of events and prayers that have led to something only God can do (sorry, I don't have a catchy name yet). A year ago, Jeremy Lin had no concept of Linsanity, nor what kind of platform it would propel him to. A year ago, I had no idea what kind of platform God would place me unknowingly on in China, and yet, here I am, back for more. Because God's goodness is such that, despite the unknown and the uncomfortable, I eagerly seek to be apart of whatever it is He'll allow me to be a part of, wherever that takes me.

Call me insane, but God has a purpose. Romans 8:28

[Almost] Back For Another Year

It seems that in the last few weeks there's been a sudden push for me to start blogging again, so this is my attempt. I'm kind of hoping that with this, I'll spare many from my "book-long" update emails that come sporadically throughout the year.

That said, I'm back in Hong Kong spending my last week before school visiting and celebrating the end of an AMAZING year with great friends. This summer has been FULL. Full of revelations and realizations of God's amazing work. Full of refreshment and reunions with wonderful friends. Full of stressors and emotions. Mostly, I'm thankful that it's been a summer full of blessings. Perhaps at some point I'll get more into detail about those blessings.

At the moment, I'm sitting in the 21st floor living room of two amazing people who stepped into my life at some point in the past year and were kind enough to let me crash with them for a few days for no other reason than to just hang out together, looking out over the inlet where rowers are busy staying in shape, and can't help but be amazed at the feeling of excited anxiousness that comes from knowing that I'm a mere 8hr bus ride away from home. As wonderful as it was to be with family over the last two months, my heart has longed to be back in Xiamen. Many have asked, "what is it about [Xiamen] that you love so much?" My answer, in some form, is always "the community." But a better word there would really be "church." A. W. Tozer is quoted for saying, 

“One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always.“  

I hear people complain about church all the time, and I confess, I have often been one of those unhappy participants who complains about a thing that I cannot make sense of. The church as it is known today, simply does not wield the power it was purposed for. And a thing that does not seek it's potential, finds itself floundering hopelessly with little pity from outsiders. When I say that what I love about being in Xiamen is the church, I don't mean that overly misunderstood group of believers who meet once a week to make themselves feel better and who possibly reach out to the less fortunate around town. What I mean is the body of believers who are willing to be open and honest about life - about pains and hurts, struggles and joys. People who are willing to be transparent daily and not just when it's convenient. 

Please don't misunderstand this to be an anger-filled rant against the church. There's a beauty that comes naturally from the Church when it's purpose is being accomplished. This Body was not meant to simply go through the motions and "do the right thing," we were meant to do life together, and in doing so, show others our love for Christ by our love for each other (John 13:35). My attachment to Xiamen is not so much about any particular person or entity as much as it is about being connected to the work that God is doing through those who are, quite simply, doing life with God. 

I came across a wonderful quote not too long ago that I have a new depth of appreciation for: 

" The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou 

I love what has transpired during my time in Xiamen over the last year. I've found a home that soothes that ache for eternity. And while I have no clue what will transpire over this next year in Xiamen, I have peace in the fact that I know I rest safely in His arms at all times, and that He has NEVER left me alone.