Four Virtues

Africa has changed for me. I have established some familiar faces in this place now. I understand the Kabiye people slightly more. I do not feel as lost in the city of Kara anymore. I have experience the culture a little more. My comfort level is higher than a week ago. Yet so far my experiences have not led me to believe that I want to spend the rest of my life here or outside in the nation-state that I grew up in. I have been motivated to apply the concepts I'm learned about missions to the states. The "Theology of Missions" means more to me now than it ever has in the past. How does my sense of mission impact how I live my life. David Bosch says that the "Mother of Theology is Mission". I can not state it any clearer then that. My life needs to be lived with a sense of purpose. My drive in the world comes from missions, purpose, and what author Malcolm calls "the stickiness factor".
In order for my drive to make an impact, my life must be lived with purpose that effects other people, yet my words and works must "stick" with that person. How I live needs to be effective. If I have no "stickiness" I will never be a true Christian or follower of Christ. Theology is only for people. I want to spend my time thinking and studying God in order to lead more to Christ through him. I believe Jesus was someone that a friend would want to "stick" to. I want to be a person that people want to be around with. I want to be a person who can be trusted and respect. I want therefore to live by four virtues that I believe display my current view of the Theology of Mission. I want these four virtues to drive my life. These virtues I believe Jesus always used and therefore it's the best theology I have thought of in years. Here they are.

1. Be Kind
2. Be Honest
3. Be Humble
4. Be Courageous

If I look at Christ's life he had purpose and a "stickiness factor" because he obeyed all these virtues. He would say it in different ways, as the Jews did. For example, "Love the LORD with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Dr. Scott Peck would say a human must be "emotional/social, physical, spiritual, and mental/intellectual" do grow in all areas of life. Each person must choose for his own on what type of person they want to be. I want to be a person of Christ and I believe this four virtues add to my perspective on how I want to be in life.

Each day I will check myself by asking myself "Did I live out my theology today?".

Was I kind? Was I honest? Was I humble? Was I a man of courage?

Today I fell a bit backward, but tomorrow I pray will be different.

"Love can't change the past, but it can lead to a different future." - Gary Chapman

I want to be a man of the future and the future is now. I want God to change lives through me and this must start with God changing me.