Peter says in Chapter 5
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
This is always true and Satan will do anything he can to discourage or derail. He was hard at work this week as well. When we got here there was another, albeit amazing, team from Nebraska here doing mission work, which complicated things. We didn't have the sleeping arrangements, living arrangements and daily mission arrangements we thought we did. The water filters didn't show up the first day (remember that is why we are here) and no one knew where they were. We have a lot of people who are fixers and take control and team dynamics were tested early and often. One of our team members had a spouse who was having surgery back home, another whose spouse was concerned about their safety, another who developed a cold, another who had a close family friend pass, and on and on. You know what is incredible though?
Everyday we spent time in prayer, in God's word, and loving Christ and loving people. So Satan's grip was real but overcome by God's grace and true Christian brothers and sisters walking as disciples together. We knew what Paul says to the church in Ephesus is true:
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Mark Preuss shared an amazing devotion last night that was Holy Spirit driven. He reminded of us all of Paul's words to his friend Timothy near the end of his life.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
What most of us learned on this trip was how to respond to challenges with Christian love. There were a lot of times when someone would get really upset with something, and want to blow up, but then another member would pray with them, comfort, them, have a talk with them, and people were able to see it was going to be ok. People were able to see the intentions of someone, rather than just actions they didn't agree with.
Joanie also lead a really good Bible study that dealt with success verse significance; which are not always the same thing. Because of some logistical challenges (namely the missing water filters) some people were thinking that we were not going to be successful at our mission. But guess what? God worked anyway. God took what seemed like a chaotic situation and was still able to make it work for the people we were there to serve. Everyone still got their water filter. Bible lessons were shared. Proper health and hygiene habits communicated. People were loved on and loved back in return.
Everything about this trip was wonderful, awesome, amazing, Holy Spirit filled, and Christ centered. It was also challenging, frustrating, filled with impatience, and a need to control. Missions can be both. Life can be both. If we let the Holy spirit lead us, and keep God at the center of our lives, we can overcome these challenges with a Christ centered attitude. While we were trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we also were developing more of a heart like Jesus; to see people as they are and accept them, comfort them, and encourage them, to be more like Christ themselves. This is what fellowship is, this is what the church does.
Our Faith life is not a sprint it is a marathon. Our Mission Trip is not a week; it's effects will last a lifetime. Our baptisms are not a one time event, but a daily reminder of who we are in Christ. Plans change, sin is real, people are imperfect, and yet one thing remains; the love of Jesus and the Church (God's people) throughout the world responding to that love.
A Final thought... go on a mission trip! It will change people's lives, it will change yours. If you think it is not for you, it probably would benefit you the most. If you think it is you for you what is stopping you!?
Joanie also lead a really good Bible study that dealt with success verse significance; which are not always the same thing. Because of some logistical challenges (namely the missing water filters) some people were thinking that we were not going to be successful at our mission. But guess what? God worked anyway. God took what seemed like a chaotic situation and was still able to make it work for the people we were there to serve. Everyone still got their water filter. Bible lessons were shared. Proper health and hygiene habits communicated. People were loved on and loved back in return.
Everything about this trip was wonderful, awesome, amazing, Holy Spirit filled, and Christ centered. It was also challenging, frustrating, filled with impatience, and a need to control. Missions can be both. Life can be both. If we let the Holy spirit lead us, and keep God at the center of our lives, we can overcome these challenges with a Christ centered attitude. While we were trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we also were developing more of a heart like Jesus; to see people as they are and accept them, comfort them, and encourage them, to be more like Christ themselves. This is what fellowship is, this is what the church does.
Our Faith life is not a sprint it is a marathon. Our Mission Trip is not a week; it's effects will last a lifetime. Our baptisms are not a one time event, but a daily reminder of who we are in Christ. Plans change, sin is real, people are imperfect, and yet one thing remains; the love of Jesus and the Church (God's people) throughout the world responding to that love.
A Final thought... go on a mission trip! It will change people's lives, it will change yours. If you think it is not for you, it probably would benefit you the most. If you think it is you for you what is stopping you!?
No comments:
Post a Comment