“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
This summer has been the hardest summer of my life and as I am reminded often. It is supposed to be the hardest of my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It isn’t the hardest just because of Ministry Partner Development but because of many other factors that have made their way into my summer. They weren’t bad factors at all. In fact, I am very thankful for every circumstance to cross my path this summer. One thing I can strongly admit is that every circumstance has pushed me closer and closer to our dear savior. Why wouldn’t I be thankful for that?
To narrow it down though Ministry Partner Development has been a challenge. (don’t confuse challenge with burden) Even if it hasn’t seemed always good, this challenge has been nothing short of a blessing. Rejoice in the trials! God is faithful! Well, this past week I got to experience the goodness of God even more by joining others called to the mission field at my organizations Pre-field training in Minnesota.
30+ brothers and sisters came together to dive into “the good stuff”. This summer has felt like studying the basics in college. The basics are great and much needed but it was nice to chew on meat. We got to look into the importance of culture and how to be all things to all people. 1 Corinthians 9:22 – “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” It was absolutely encouraging and fired me up to sit down with people that have been called to the ends of the Earth and emphasize the power and contextualization of the Gospel. This blog isn’t to brag about my week but to simply share that I am so thankful for every bit of support that has been shown to me. I know that I have been called to unreached people and I assure you that I will spend my life reaching out to the lost and I am so thankful for everyone who is going to be a part of this with me.
To wrap up, on one of the nights we discussed the giving up of our rights. This sounds so scary and maybe even sketchy but it wasn’t giving them up to people or an organization. We prayed and reflected on giving up entitlement and “rights” to our Heavenly Father. Original missionaries used to ship their belongings in coffins to the mission field stating that their life has been committed to God’s will. That radical devotion fires me up and I pray that we can all be encouraged to destroy our entitlement mindsets and submit to the Great Commission. Not the commission but the GREAT commission. Thank You, Lord for including us in Your perfect plan!