The Hole In Our Gospel

This came as a 27 part audio from Christian Audio as a part of their monthly free audio program. I devoured this 10+ hr audio as I did my outdoor walking as well as computer work in a few days as I jointly read "Wild At Heart".

I found this audio to be quite intriguing and causing me to think. This book tells about Stearns' childhood and his rise in the corporate world to him becoming CEO of World Vision. Throughout the book, Stearns talks about the people that World Vision helps, comparing the horrible conditions people in third world countries have over our modern, wealthy world.

It was actually quite depressing to see how we are in the U.S., how privileged compared to others in the world. He talked about the diseases that plagued these nations, some things we take for granted here.

The "holes" Stearns talks about is really being completely sold out to Jesus and how the majority of us aren't. Some are willing to go only so far, but only in our terms, not God's terms. It's basically Consumer Christianity. Are we willing to let God direct?

He sites a lot of examples of how the Gospel has really moved people in other nations where they just really went for it, not fearing because what they had to overcome to get the Gospel was so great, that receiving the Gospel into their lives meant everything, for which they would go to any lengths, including death, for Jesus. For most Americans, Stearns also admits he was among one of these people, we don't want to move outside of our comfort zones to live full out for Christ.

Anyway, this book was really challenging for me, as I have been having a pity party for my own circumstances. Yet, listening to this audio, I realize my conditions are pretty luxurious compared to the people World Vision helps.

This audio could also be a huge advertisement for World Vision, but that's not a bad thing either. He shares numerous stories of his own spiritual battles in better understanding compassion and what God has called Him to do.

I feel the last 2-3 segments of the audio, which is about the last hour were the best parts of this whole book. One person can make a difference regardless of age, education, what you have, talents, where you come from, etc. You have to have a willingless and desire to allow God to be creative & step out of your comfort zone to just go do it. I found this really inspiring.

One of the other things I learned is when we reach out to help someone, we really never know the true impact that it has. That statement may not mean much, but Stearns shares a story of him relunctantly giving to sponser a couple more World Vision children. He and his wife already were sponsoring many kids and he had already been the CEO of World Vision for a number of years. He relunctantly and flippantly sponsored 2 more kids whom were brothers. A couple years later, he met these boys and their grandmother. She shared the impact that those sponsorship made to them, which was life & death. He was greatly humbled.

As we reach out to help others, let's do it with a humble and grateful spirit that we can do so. Even in my time of where I am in great need, even I can still do something to help others. God is good and we just have to be willing to be used of God.

The rawness of Stearns spoke to me, because the feelings he had going through all this process are feelings most of us can relate to. I'm glad he was opened in sharing this with us. I benefitted from his frankness and transparency.