So here we go, Part 3…I want to get my hands dirty.

It is easy for me to dream of changing the world from the comfort of my living room couch but I lately I have felt called to do more. I want to go to the ends of the earth. And I want to get my hands a little dirty.

Last week at Cross Point, Pete Wilson was preaching about LOVE as a part of our Advent series “Rhythm.” He reminded us that we are called as Christians to love our “neighbor.” (And as inconvenient as it might be our “neighbors” are not just those who are in close proximity to us or those that we find easy to love.)  He said, “we can’t love like Jesus if we are living in a chronic hurry.” (Ouch. I realized later that maybe I live in a chronic hurry so I don’t HAVE TIME to love like Jesus. Double ouch.) He concluded by encouraging us to “schedule time to love on others.”

So that’s what I’m going to do. In 2010, I am going to commit time to love on others, both in my community and across the world.

I have NO IDEA what this is going to look like. This goal still needs to be fleshed out A LOT. I only know that it has been too long since I have gone on a “mission’s trip.” And even though I am fervently hoping that Africa is in my future, I need to see where I am led.

“My faith demands -this is not optional-my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

Jimmy Carter as quoted in The Hole in Our Gospel

Do you have plans to get your hands dirty in 2010? Have you read The Hole in Our Gospel yet? Did it leave you wanting to love your “neighbor” differently? (If not, you should put it at the top of your Christmas list. Take my word for it, top of your Christmas list.)