I Do Me.

The title of this post is inspired by a friend whose life motto is, "you do you and I do me." It may be a confusing statement at first, but once he explained it to me I understood quite well. 


For me, the phrase 'I do me' encompasses what Jesus has been calling me to my whole life. He has called me to radical obedience. Jesus commanded, "follow me." Follow Him. Wherever He goes, whatever He does. Follow closely. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." These words leap off the page of my Book and I know Jesus is talking to me. So, I go. 


Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Sarajevo, Bosnia. This place is already so close to my heart and I haven't set foot on its soil. If you read about the war in the 90s, your heart just might break a little. You might feel uncomfortable to know the atrocious attacks that occurred. I have read as many articles and watched as many videos as I can. It is now time to take the leap across the big pond and discover this place for myself. 


If you don't already know, 5 other interns and I will be living in Sarajevo for 6 weeks teaching English conversation classes.  This will give us an opportunity to meet people and build relationships. 


Preparations for this trip have looked different than past trips. I have been extremely behind on packing. The worst part is I had a simple desire to just stay home. I was enjoying the river, the beach, my family and friends so much that I considered the option of not going and staying home. I was then reminded of Jesus' words, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:29&30)


Months ago, Jesus said, "Go." I must obey and commit to what He has commanded. And as my friend puts it, "I do me." Because I abide in Jesus and Jesus in me, I know my heart will follow. My heart is not exactly something to be trusted at times. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings (Jeremiah 17:9&10). 


"I do me" is more than a saying its a way of life. It breathes identity. "I do me."...the me who Jesus brought out of darkness into marvelous light, out of the pit and set upon a rock, making my steps secure, He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise [and I pray] many will see and put their trust in Him (Psalm 40).