There is a
running joke in my family that when I am asked when I learned something that I
will answer, “I’ve always known that!” Now, I do not earnestly believe that
this statement is true, but in some sense it correctly portrays how I feel.
When I learn something easily it is because I have had some sense that it was
true even before it was ever explained to me. The best books and teachers are
ones that more eloquently express what it is that I know deep within me. Those
are the things that resonate with me. I learn best when I learn something that
I have either seen to be true or have a sense that it is true even without
seeing it. It sounds arrogant that I have always known something but sometimes that’s
the best way for me to describe how I feel about a truth.
In response
to the question about missions, I instinctively answered that I have always felt
called to missions.
Now, this
statement is not true at all, but it is hard to remember a time when I did not
feel that way. I know that in reality this change came sometime during college
for me when God changed my heart to love Him above all else. It happened when I
first began to earnestly seek God through His Word. It is hard to remember a
time when I did not desire to be sent with the gospel as my nametag and
identity.
Our conversation
went on to delve into the realities of missions and the gospel. If you have not
picked up on it yet, I am somewhat idealistic about many things, including missions.
In my arrogance I tend to idealize missions and the call to bring the gospel to
those opposed to it. We got to talking about the need to be obedient in the
present situation before God will call us to be obedient in a future situation.
To be effective in another culture, we must first be effective in our own culture
and life situation. If we want to be missionaries to the ends of the earth, we
must first be missionaries at the beginning of the earth. Being a missionary is
not a future endeavor, but a present calling no matter the circumstances. The
words that were spoken to me were cutting and convicting, even invoking a
little bit of anger. I did not want to admit that I was wrong, which is hard
for me. I did not want to be teachable in that moment to the Spirit’s
conviction. I wanted to rest in my arrogant notions about my effectiveness,
talents and gifts. I wanted to stay convinced that hopping on a plane and changing
my circumstances would change my heart. I wanted to not listen, but that was
not even allowed in the moment.
That short
little conversation stirred much thought in my mind and burden in my heart.
I was
challenged to consider the missionary call on my present reality. If I continually
am looking to a future situation to satisfy me, then I will not be obedient in the
present day. If my focus is always on what may come to be, then I will not be
effective or relevant in my current reality. I so desire the gospel to go the
ends of the earth, but find it hard to see that happening through me even in
Midland, Texas. I began to realize that the gospel must penetrate my heart
first before it will ever penetrate those around me. I am praying that for my
own life and for those around me, that the gospel would penetrate our hearts
and bring us to our knees in dependence on Christ Jesus. I am praying that God
would stir our hearts with a passion for His name and for the glorification of
Christ in the gospel.
“The Lord conquered my unbelief, and I
surrendered myself to God for this service. I told Him that all the
responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest with Him; that as His
servant, it was mine to obey and follow Him—His, to direct, to care for, and to
guide me and those who might labor with me. Need I say that peace at once
flowed into my burdened heart?” – J. Hudson Taylor
‘I believe we are all in danger of
accumulating—it may be from thoughtlessness, or from pressure of occupation—things
which would be useful to others, while not needed by ourselves, and the
retention of which entails loss of blessing. If the whole resources of the
Church of God were well utilized, how much more might be accomplished! How many
poor might be fed and naked clothed, and to how many of those as yet unreached
the Gospel might be carried!” – J. Hudson Taylor
No comments:
Post a Comment