6 days…7 days…10 days…2 weeks… pass and it’s easy for those of us not in the middle of the tragedy in Haiti to forget about the struggles that millions of people are facing. Consider this a reminder to stay active and engaged.

Our group has affectionately and somewhat sarcastically dubbed our prayer time at the end, “Caring Time.” This is a time where we share prayer requests and praises. Rita, our note taker jots them down on sticky notes and passes them out to each couple so that we can remember what to pray for and have something to remind us to pray for each other throughout the week.

This last 15 or 20 minutes of our group is the best. I have really come to appreciate the power of being blanketed in prayer by friends and family.

It gives strength.

So while it sounds cheesy, “Caring Time” is incredible and if you do not have people who can blanket you in prayer I suggest that you find some.

A little over four years ago when hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast this happened to me. I was captivated by the event. It consumed my thoughts and  my life was changed through opportunities to be a part of the relief efforts. In fact it was that event that truly launched me into ministry.

As I watch the coverage of the devastation in Haiti I can’t help but feel many of the same  emotions I felt four years ago. The weird juxtaposition of wealth and poverty does something to your spirit.

It makes you feel blessed and guilty all at the same time.

It leaves you grateful and heartbroken.

And I think it’s those mixed emotions that create what Bill Hybel’s refers to as a person’s “holy discontent.” It’s that thing that keeps you up at night. The topic that consumes your mental capacity, despite your best efforts to disconnect it from your train of thoughts.

It’s the thing that leaves you feeling icky.

The thing that you want to avoid so desperately and yet the thing you know you need to push into the hardest.

I find that it’s in those times that God is up to something in my life. He’s challenging me to step up to the plate. It’s no longer time to take practice cuts in the on deck circle.  I need to dig in my cleats and take a big fatty swing at the pitch He’s throwing me.

I don’t want to strike out, but if I don’t get in the game, I will never hit the ball over the fence and that’s what I want to do.

I want to take the passion that is coursing through my veins like adrenaline and channel it towards whatever pitch God is winding up to throw me.

God is up to something and I’m ready to swing away.

Does anything truly break your heart…?

Are you allowing yourself to be used by God…?

…………………………………Do you anguish…………………………………..?

I have to say, I have a lot of fun with The Crossing interns.

Four days doesn’t seem like it should already cause fear and trepidation…

I’ve barely begun…right?

Well let me just say that when you mix people from all across the country (and Canada) and you talk about different races, ethnicities, etc. It can truly be a scary proposition.  That however is my situation with my Cross-Cultural Ministry class.

We come from very different backgrounds in many cases and I pray that everyone will be sensitive to the diversity that is in the class and yet open but cautious as dialogue takes place.

You never know how the way one person was raised will influence the things they say and I hope in this class we can have open, respectful dialogue without any sketchy comments.

We’ll see what happens.

To see small group friends with their eyes closed, focused on God.

A friend who has had a radical transformation raising his arms in surrender.

A teenage girl with a smile on her face.

A grown man air drumming to the beat of the song.

A young woman in a wheel chair being fed communion.

College students singing their guts out.

It is a beautiful and inspiring thing to watch.