By Bobby Coverston 

I was the mystery reader for my son Joel’s kindergarten class over a year ago. Mystery readers give the teacher some factoids about themselves, and the kids try to determine from the clues who the mystery reader is. My little trivia nugget was that I have been on six of the seven continents (Antarctica being the only exception).

The kids had learned the continents so they thought that was pretty cool. However, they thought it would have been really cool to go to Antarctica and asked more questions about whether I would ever go there.

I have seen some parts of the world that are on people’s bucket list. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triumph in France, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Big Ben in London, The Vatican, The Colosseum, the waterways of Venice, The Spanish Steps, Robin Island in South Africa, Rock of Gibraltar, the Buddhist temples of Bangkok and more.

Almost all of these trips were some form of church related ministry trip. But before you go thinking that I am bragging about my world travels with such noble causes, don’t judge just yet.

I felt a strong wave of conviction after reading today’s challenge. I have been all over the world, but I don’t know that I am the kind of world-class Christian that Pastor Rick Warren described.

I don’t believe I was in sin or that my motives were evil when I boarded the planes to these countries, but I was pretty enamored with the experience. “Wow, I get to go to South Africa! (twice).” I think some of that amazement is natural and human. My perspective certainly was changed and my faith was sharpened. I saw people from other cultures with unbelievable faith in the same Jesus we believe in, expressing their hearts for him in ways and venues I never dreamed. That was mind blowing, humbling, awesome, life changing, and unforgettable. These experiences have made a lasting imprint on my life and ministry today.

But ...

My heart still feel like it’s a long way off from having the missional backbone that Pastor Warren points to. In my very first blog in this series, I confessed my attraction toward materialism, comfort and praise. I liked these trips because of what I got out of them as well as what I was there to do. Is that wrong? I honestly don’t know.

My ministry to the world right now is discipling my kids to be world changers. Even as I type that I feel like a complete failure. My own pride and temper have done more harm to that goal than good. I have turned down some international trips because of wanting to be here for my kids in these very formative years. Again, is that wrong?

I long to have the heart of Jesus that has compassion on people regardless of their location or circumstance, but am I willing to go anywhere and do anything to see that come to fruition? I’d like to say yes, and I hope that Jesus is changing my heart to that, but if I’m being honest, I’m not there yet. I need transformation. I need a missional heart. I need Jesus.