Through his work we caught a glimpse of life in space, of being away from friends and family on a mission. And since Col. Hadfield has been back on earth we continue to see his readjustments back to life on earth.
With all of this in mind I led for my 3rd time a Logos team to Panama English Camp from May 24 - June 5. Like being on a mission on the ISS, a mission trip is like a trip to outer space. A week floating above the clouds, traveling on God's wings at a thousand miles per second, sustained in a tin can by the grace of God; the team had the honour and privilege of witnessing God's mighty work - we were literally on a Spiritual high. How can you not when you are part of God's mighty work?
As a clarification, I do not have anything against the notion of "Spiritual High". It is a taste of haven, a glimpse of what to come. Just like the most difficult part of Col. Hadfield's mission is the re-adjustment back to earth, similarly the mission team will have to learn to land safely after the trip.
A reentry landing is a violant and traumatic experience, for both astronauts and missionaries. It seem like we have come crashing back into earth, our limbs weak from the weightlessness of being sustained by God's grace, longing to fly again with the Lord. We have soared with the Lord and tasted victory, but now once again we are earthbound - in our routine, temptations, and broken relationships.
God had given us a wonderful experience on the mission trip, how do we start the next leg of our journey back home?
Another passion of mine is mountain climbing. I love following the adventures of Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner. The top tourist attraction in Nepal is climbing Mt. Everest. (The revenue made from Everest climbing permits accounts for 3% of Nepal's GDP). However 1 of 8 climbers attempting Everest dies. But imagine the experience of standing on top of Everest - the top of the world. I can imagine being on a Spiritual high have a similar feeling. The most dangerous part of climbing is not the ascent, it is the descent - it is after you've reach the top and now you have to come back down.
We have to be extra careful coming off of a high place, whether be returning from space, descending from the mountain top experience, or returning from a mission trip. And in life, if you’re not ready for the inevitable lows, spiritually and emotionally, you’re going to be in trouble.
How do we deal with this?
"2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
- Rev 2:2-5
The brothers and sisters certainly did great things for the Lord, and I'm sure they were on a Spiritual High. But a stark warning from Jesus is that we are not to forget our FIRST LOVE. Being married for five years I am beginning to learn a thing or two about "my first love". Being devoted to my wife, my love, takes commitment and sacrifice. When my "first love" is Lord Jesus, it also require of my commitment and sacrifice. It requires me to die to Christ daily, allowing Him to use my past experiences to shape me for His purpose, and rely on Him alone.
Today is a beginning of your mission trip. Yes, we will miss our teammates, we will miss the youths we worked with. But how are you letting your "first love" use you today? Are you still pursuing your "first love" even when you are earthbound? Are you offering your best to your "first love"? Take good care of your bodies, through rest and time alone with God, so that you are fit for His work in you and through you today.
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