Blog reader Brent Howard wrote this comment on my blog a while ago:

"As a soon-to-be 40 year old father of two, accounting manager (no geek glasses!), I am finding it very difficult to fulfill the longing to be radically used by God that is in me.

"Short-term missions are fulfilling. Working in the community to be salt and light is fulfilling. But there is a sense in me that there is so much more that I need to be doing to be closer to God - to be used by God and see people changed and see people loved.

"When I look at Cambodian orphans, I want to get on the next plane leaving Atlanta. If I can get the little Burmese boy in the yellow shirt, I want him! I want to love him and let him know what it's like to be loved by a father.

"How do I fulfill this longing while stuck in America?"

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Here's how I'd begin responding:

First we need to put this question in context. "Do I have to go overseas to be a radical?" is too small a question. We need to ask what it will take for us to die happy, content that we've done all that God had for us to do on earth.

But let me reach out to my blog readers for some help - how can he fulfill his longing? Please, help Brent out.