Living the Good Work
A warning before you read on further:
This is a call to action.
A few weeks ago, we as XPLOR Residents in Hiram-Mantua, Ohio, had a wonderful conversation with a group of people, who ended our talk by congratulating us on our year doing mission work.
And that got me to thinking.
I’m not out here for a year to put in my allotted time helping others and serving the community. In fact, for my understanding, that’s not what NBA XPLOR is about at all. As an XPLOR Resident, I was required to make a commitment to the four cornerstones of social justice work, living simply, discerning the future spiritually, and learning how to lead as a Disciple—but as a human being, I felt compelled to agree to these things because I believe in them wholeheartedly. I don’t plan on only observing these practices for a year and then deciding to be done; I am going to live my life in a way that reflects these cornerstones and more, as much as I can.
I hope to continue Living the Good Work.
Because there is no end to the good work that needs to be done, and I feel a drive, a need, an urge, to help. No matter where my life takes me, I know that I will continue to try to serve others and to shine a light in the darkest of places, because every single person on this planet deserves to know love and hope.
My goal, as I wrap up this year in the XPLOR Program, is to continue to discover how my unique passions can be used to help, to bring peace, to bring justice.
This is the path I see myself on. And I ask of each of you reading this, please, give back to your community, to the world around you, to your loved ones. Find where your passion merges with lifting up the downtrodden and bringing joy. And to those of you already doing this work, thank you, and please continue. You are not alone.
Our world can only hope to grow and heal by the loving touch of others.
So find your cause.
And remember to continue to spread love and peace to all whom you come in contact with.
May we all strive to Live the Good Work.
Alanna Hunter-Crump is a 2015-16 NBA XPLOR Resident in Hiram-Mantua, OH, a partnership with Brighter Day Christian Church, Hilltop Christian Church, Hiram Christian Church, Mantua Center Christian Church, and Hiram College. She serves at Cogswell Hall.
NBA XPLOR is a 10-month service residency opportunity for young adults ages 21-30, with the purpose of empowering young adults to discern and develop a “heart for care” as they live together in simple community, engage in direct service and justice work, engage in leadership development, and discern their vocational calls to honor the various communities they are called to serve. Learn more and apply at nbacares.org/xplor.
