Over the past twelve days, I have flown on seven airplanes to navigate three different continents during a wonderful study trip with Boston Baptist College.
It was a privilege of a lifetime to get to spend that time mainly in the country of Egypt.
It is a civilization unlike any other in that it is rich both historically and biblically. In our times (1900's onward), it is often misunderstood or mischaracterized.
This trip helped expand my understanding of this beautiful land with welcoming people who live along the "shoestring of life", the Nile river.
Flying over the natural fortifying "walls" of the Sahara desert you discover an unexplainable sight- water and lots of it. Along the border of most of the water, the starkness of greenery pops off the tan canvas. This convoluted picture is home to one of the longest self-governed civilizations in history. Its history is steeped with religions both past and present. The more recent military rule (20th century) has added another layer of difficulty for our minds as westerners to comprehend life there.
Traveling there is like getting dosed with multiple fire hoses at once- history, religion, sociology, and political science.
While there was so much to do, see, and learn, here are a few highlights that stuck out in my mind (I plan on sharing more next Sunday AM).
The journey made me reevaluate some aspects of the accounts of Moses and Joseph in meaningful ways that built up my faith but also visualized them. It was incredible to see a replica basket that Moses likely traveled in while also having the ability to stand on the Nile banks in Luxor knowing that is highly likely he passed by that way under the providential care of God. Standing in the Valley of the Kings to consider Joseph's life as an old man on the path he likely walked to commemorate his pharaoh who had died caused each of us in the group to deeply reflect upon God's work in our lives now and what it means for the future.
The journey made me appreciate the welcoming, sweet people of Egypt. I am not well-traveled but was absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming attitude of the Egyptian people I met in multiple cities. It is far too easy to embrace an American, geopolitical interpretation of the people rather than a biblical one. I was challenged by the interactions I had with many of them as unsaved people who were kinder, more helpful, and more hospitable than my own heart wanted to admit about myself.
The journey made me appreciate the Christians who are in Egypt. While it is true that it is reported as a 90%+ Muslim nation, many are followers of Christ...and it is NOT popular. I watched as Christians gathered multiple times a week in droves...no talk of their kids' sports schedule (though they are available to be played), no talk of more hours at work, no talk of not being "deep enough" or having the programs they want...Christians are willing to assemble in a spiritually hostile environment because Christ has freed them and they want to celebrate that with the body.
It made me thankful to know way more is happening than being reported or known. While it is staggering the number of people who are unsaved in Egypt (and it is heart-wrenching), be encouraged to know that MANY Christian churches and groups are seeing great things taking place among Egyptians even if it is not making headlines stateside.
The journey made me appreciate the intellect God created us with which has been personified in Egyptian culture for thousands of years. Standing next to structures that were thousands of years old that were precisely carved and painted made our wonderful country's brief history seem sophomoric. That said, it encouraged me to realize the power God granted the human mind to operate upon and have the latitude to grow in. The harnessing of it to dream, plan, draft, create, and build structures (even if impurely motivated) is a testament to God's handiwork.
The journey made me sad to see what slavery can accomplish. While American history may have a troubling history with its treatment of African Americans, Native Americans, Mexicans, and Japanese people groups at various moments, Egypt is also rife with a history of human mistreatment. Some of the mind-bending structures I witnessed that dwarfed my height and made me feel like an ant were constructed by powerless people controlled by ruthless people in power. When we leave God's view of each person as worthy of dignity simply by being an image bearer, nothing good will come of it personally, nationally, or globally.
The journey made me thankful for Boston Baptist and President David Melton. I am not much for "circles", "groups", "camps", or "colleges" and am worse at being a "rah-rah" guy BUT I could not be more thankful to endorse what is taking place at this smaller college up in the northeast. No place is ideal or perfect but this institution has some advantages that few others have and in a mixture that would be difficult, if not impossible to replicate. I would encourage any young or old person to consider going to school there as they are seeking to train Christian leaders for both ministry and secular vocations.
Lastly, the journey made me reevaluate what I am using my life for. We only get one life...so cliche, right? Think about it again...you can only use it up once!
How precious would you treat a ring that could never be made again? How precious would you treat a liquid that could never be created again? How careful would you plan your house if you could never have any home ever again?
Get the idea? We only have one pass through this brief existence...what are you and I filling it up with?
Why not be a Dr. on the mission field?
Why not go start or care for an orphanage?
Why not take on an Airbnb with the express purpose of creating more wealth to spend on missions?
Why not learn another language to be a tour guide in a foreign country to have more Christian witnesses there?
Why not be a missionary?
Fear, vanity, indulgence, expectations, convenience, lust, greed, and ease seem more prone to shape our usage of this life rather than the radicalness of eternity.
The country is like no other with a people as unique as the Nile nestled between the endless miles of the Saharan desert. God is doing a wonderful work there and challenged my pitiful heart in many ways through it.
It is my prayer that we embrace this one life to celebrate Christ, intentionally share Him with others, radically rethink what we are involved in and with, and reject the Western expectations bred into us from a young age.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul