As I read a book on missionary care, I am reminded of when God called us to the mission field. I want to start by saying that God can use anyone wherever we are in life. That said, some are called to "GO". That was us. I remember asking Jessie, my wife of 23 years, a very serious question at the time. Are you willing to go anywhere God calls us to go? I needed to know if it was something she was serious about. I needed to know if she had limitations to the life of obedience to God. After finishing our 17th year in Mexico, I can confidently say we are where God called us to be. Granted, I am still in a season of learning and finding my way in this new area of ministry here in Tecate, Mexico.
Going back to the time we finished our degrees in cross-cultural studies and theology, we were waiting for the Lord to open the door to go. We only bought second-hand furniture. Our set was this was only temporary. Out of that way of thinking, it caused us to make decisions differently than if we were planting roots. When God did open the door for us to come to Mexico, it was easy to let our things go. We packed our Ford expedition with all we had and drove down to Mexico. I want to make this point: is there anything you would not give up to obey what God calls you to do? Would you sell everything you own to move to a different country? I mean, if God would call you to do that, would you? My intentions here are not to bring condemnation but encouragement. Would you go? Would you give up your future plans to go? Would you give up your comfort of speaking English to learn another language to reach people for Christ? Are you in that spot where God can transplant you to somewhere else in the world because He wants to use you? Are there limits to what you would do for God? Are there things God is calling you to give up for him to be placed where He wants you? Even as I type here, I desire to encourage you to be willing to go where He leads you, whether that is talking to someone across the street, moving your whole family to plant a church in rural Mexico, or starting a business in a closed Muslim country. Is your life open for God to take away the place you call home?
Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Going back to the time we finished our degrees in cross-cultural studies and theology, we were waiting for the Lord to open the door to go. We only bought second-hand furniture. Our set was this was only temporary. Out of that way of thinking, it caused us to make decisions differently than if we were planting roots. When God did open the door for us to come to Mexico, it was easy to let our things go. We packed our Ford expedition with all we had and drove down to Mexico. I want to make this point: is there anything you would not give up to obey what God calls you to do? Would you sell everything you own to move to a different country? I mean, if God would call you to do that, would you? My intentions here are not to bring condemnation but encouragement. Would you go? Would you give up your future plans to go? Would you give up your comfort of speaking English to learn another language to reach people for Christ? Are you in that spot where God can transplant you to somewhere else in the world because He wants to use you? Are there limits to what you would do for God? Are there things God is calling you to give up for him to be placed where He wants you? Even as I type here, I desire to encourage you to be willing to go where He leads you, whether that is talking to someone across the street, moving your whole family to plant a church in rural Mexico, or starting a business in a closed Muslim country. Is your life open for God to take away the place you call home?
Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[c] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
