Amazing Blessing, Perplexing Paradox
We have been involved in our Church’s (McGregor Baptist Church) mission’s conference called GIC (Global Impact Celebration) over the last few days. Their purpose is to encourage their missionaries (we are one of the many missionaries on site) and challenge their people to “go” both locally and internationally.
We have been amazed and perplexed these last few days.
Amazing Blessings…
Johnny Hunt (President Elect of the Southern Baptist Convention) offered up a phenomenal look at 2 Kings 7. If you weren’t there, you missed out. Hopefully it will be available online soon.
We have been amazed (not in a surprised way, but in a overwhelmed way) with the blessings on us from our church. We enjoyed McGregor’s “Blessing Mart”. All the missionaries were invited into a big room and allowed to “shop for free” from all the stuff that was donated by the church congregation. Let’s just say we don’t have to buy shampoo or batteries for a year (also, printer paper, over the counter medicine, clothes, cleaning supplies, food, soaps, toothpaste, toys, clothes, sippy cups, etc etc etc) Wow wow wow. What a blessing!
Our church has recently had to close their bookstore. We were given the opportunity to go in and pick through the stuff that was still there. There was lots of stuff! We picked up many books, music cd’s, Bible study highlighters, etc etc etc. Wow wow wow!
Perplexing Paradox…
Stationary Christians. Ineffective Christians. What a paradox. The question we are asking… Why do so few people go? We are not surprised. Scripture tells us, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. Yet, why? I know, all the typical reasons come to mind. But shouldn’t the church (universal) rise up and reach the lost world. It’s not, and that is perplexing. Am I going? Are you going? Have you considered going? RMI President Dan Shoemaker says, “God is not looking for people who are willing to go, but planning to stay. He is looking for people who are planning to go, but willing to stay.” I like that.
I don’t mean to make you feel guilty if you are planning to live in the United States for the rest of your life. “Going” can be here or there! Yes, we do need many many many more people overseas, yet that is not necessarily my point here. If you are ’here’, are you truly having a Kingdom impact? If not, you are not “going”. Think…Who can you say that you have impacted in the last year? I mean really impacted. Can you name someone?
My intention is not to deliver a self righteous (holier than thou) rant here. I am asking an honest question of myself and of you. I have just as many, if not more, hang-ups and fleshly fears as you do.
Rob
Comments
I love that fact that some days when I read your blog, I feel empowered or comforted, other days, I just get a funny story, and other days I get a heapin' helpin' of conviction or some other unexpected impetus for thought and reflection.
I recognize that you are not limiting your thoughts to over-seas missions, but rather are using a broad definition of what it means to be a "worker in the field" (as in the ones that there are few of). I had one comment specific to getting involved in full-time ministry be it over-seas mission work, or here in the US (but still specific to full-time ministry). I think that many of us, myself including, have gotten a little bit of the wrong idea about what it means to be "called by God," or even what "God's plan" is. I think a lot of us have gotten the idea that those who are "meant" to into full-time ministry can expect to one day have the heavens open up and receive a direct command from the Lord. Unfortunately, I think there are plenty of us who have considered full-time ministry, and might even feel gifted for that, but aren't sure if God is specifically calling them. I know I have given missions work some thought. I think it sounds awesome. I get really energized when I hear other missionaries share their experiences. Some of the most important moments of my life have happened while visiting with other cultures. And, I see a huge need for committed Christians to be willing to "go." But, does that mean me? I have never really felt a specific job, career, etc. that God was "calling me to." I know God has given me certain gifts, but one of them is Math. So, because God gave me a gift for Math, does that mean he isn't "calling" me to over-seas missions?
I think we would all be a lot better if we can start to understand, as I have been hearing more of over the past few years, that God's plan is pretty simple: that we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. The Westminster Catechism puts it nicely: (paraphrase) "The chief end of man is to love God and enjoy Him forever." Understand "God's plan" this way can offer an incredible relief to those thousands of Christian college students who spend hours every week stressing out about which specific career God is "calling them" to. I think there is wonderful freedom and grace in this perspective of "God's plan." I am still trying to figure out what this would mean for my life. Also, I don't want to invalidate those who feel that God has called them to a very specific career, job, town, etc. I am certain that there are cases where God has called individuals to a very specific path. I just don't think we all need to expect that God is looking to direct every detail of our lives like that, if we can just listen to God hard enough.
What do you think?
I recognize that I am only addressing one part of your thoughts. Of course, there are so many ways that we can all do God's work without going into full-time ministry. My comments are really meant for the question of "Is God "calling" me to full-time ministry?"
Lastly, I love the image of the Blessings-Mart. I think it's great that McGregor is supporting you guys that way. It also seems like a great way to do it, rather than just cutting a check. We really get to share in the excitement of supporting our brothers and sisters who are in full-time ministry and depend on out benevolence for their sustenance.
Thanks for your posts. Keep them coming!
Your little brother,
Brian
OK, so perhaps I've gotten off-point, here... it just caught my attention... and I know Brian well enough to know that he never intended to infer that we're not all called to love others whenever we can, not just when we're done "working".
Thanks for the blog, Rob. And thanks for the comments, Brian. Its good to know that though "the laborers are few" and we're miles apart, we are still laboring together to the same end. Keep loving those you come in contact with everyday (from your wife, to the person who serves you coffee, to the people you meet at church), and I suspect you're never far from the "will of God."