We ALL have a part in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. What is mine? What is yours? I just enjoyed a “Radical” podcast with David Platt and he talks about “holding the rope” for others in the field in hard places. He then lists what we can individually do: prayer unites, giving, and going locally or abroad. The analogy is that Coca Cola has 90% name recognition in the world. It was a mission in their marketing. Jesus does not yet have that level of recognition. Now we know that God can complete all things according to His great plan, so again, I ask – what is my part?
I left my home in September on a mission to answer that question. The Bible verse on my heart then was Jer. 17:7-8 – “But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me. He is like a tree growing near a stream and sending out roots to the water. It is not afraid when hot weather comes, because its leaves stay green; it has no worries when there is no rain; it keeps on bearing fruit.” I think my “hot” weather has been a difficult leaving in Switzerland. Also a previous Platt message on who should NOT go to the mission field. I have mentioned this before. Don’t go if you don’t want to (simple enough). Don’t go if you are dealing with some personal issue you would like to run away from and leave unresolved. Don’t go if your husband/wife is opposed. I wrote this list somewhere out of reach and cannot remember number four. Look it up?
I’m also thinking about Philippians, Chapter 2. Good works – resulting from faith but not earning Heaven – are serving the needs of others, being responsive to others in your community of believers, remembering that God is big, and being open to learn some new things about serving others – all of the “others”. Oh yes, and do everything without grumbling or arguing. I understand the grumbling bit but what is the arguing bit? Am I not allowed to disagree with other believers? I already understand that disagreeing with Almighty God is foolish. There is much said about submission to God but not as much about other believers, although leaders are to be respected. Obey God – respect people, today that motto is working for me! Where are you going today?
