When I return to the U.S. I know I'll hear the question, How do you like it there? I'm not sure how I'll respond. Some who have visited here say, "I've just fallen in love with the island." I can well understand why they say that. It is a pretty place, with its beaches, blue skies and blue waters, and underwater treasures. I've met a lot of wonderful people. But I'm quite certain it's easier to like a place you visit for a week or so, than it is to like it for two years.
This morning I counted 13 mosquito bites... On my right arm alone! (And I'm told the bugs aren't as bad now as they will be when the wind dies down in late August / September.) Some days I get tired of sweating. The tourists keep me awake later than I'd like. The neighbor's generator starts up when the tourists shut down. And I've encountered some people who try my patience.
How do you like it there?
I admit it: I'm a creature of my culture. In my culture we like being comfortable, we expect it, we place a premium on it. When the temperature of the building is too hot or too cold we tell somebody about it and expect it to get more comfortable. If it doesn't, we don't like it and we're ready to get some place more comfortable as soon as we can. That's pretty much me. I don't like being hot. I don't like sweating again just as soon as I get out of the shower. I don't like bug bites. And I think about these things more than I'd like.
How do you like it there?
I think that's the wrong question. And maybe it's the reason we have
so much difficulty being committed to anything or anyone.
Things on my job are too hot... We find a new job.
My church is too cold... We find a new church.
My spouse is too cold... We find a new spouse.
What does God think about all this?
Sometimes our choices don't matter to God; we can just pick what we want: strawberry, vanilla or mint chocolate chip. Other times God calls us to a certain task, or to a certain place, or into relationship with certain people. Sometimes it agrees with us; other times not.
It comes down to this: Commitment. If I'm committed to Christ (who is God's ultimate commitment to me) then I don't want to choose any place other than the place he has led me. I don't want to do anything other than what he is calling me to do.
I guess I'll just be honest when people ask me, How do you
like it there? Well, some things I like; others I don't care for. But
even on the days I'd never choose it, I'm glad to be here, living out a
commitment that I've made to Christ and seeing him live out the commitment
he's made to me and the people I serve in his name.