My Story in God's Story

Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I used to love to write when I was a kid. I would sit and pour out a tale, mostly having to do with pioneers or modern-day elementary age girls (since that’s how old I was). I once even got one of my friends to do illustrations for a short story. I loved seeing the characters come to life, the story take shape and the conflict resolved in the end.

I guess that’s why I love the concept of God as the author of my life and faith story. It’s more than just that God has a plan for my life, because while plans are good it doesn’t sound as exciting as a story. Stories have highs and lows, adventures and times of rest and peacefulness and amazing characters. God has written a wonderful story for each of us according to His purposes for our lives.

But sometimes, like when I was a kid, I like to hold the pen for writing my own story. I look at the plot and think, “God, this really isn’t a good idea. I think I’ll take over the writing of this next chapter”. That’s not what God wants of me, though. He wants me to trust Him with the pen for my tale. That requires surrender on my part, knowing that the story He has for me is the very best story, one that honors and glorifies Him. He sees the very last chapter, while I only see what’s right in front of me. Maybe my story doesn’t include the epic adventures I might want it to right now, but each page holds a new truth I can learn about my Heavenly Father, and a new character that I need to get to know and love as the Father loves them. I am excited for what is ahead and thankful for what is behind.

Really and truly, the story isn’t about me anyway. It’s about God’s ultimate story for the whole world- people from every tribe, people group and language honoring and glorifying Him. It’s a redemption story and each of our stories get to be a page or chapter in the big volume of God’s work in the world. Now, that is exciting!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message)
Do you see what this means- all those pioneers who blazed the way; all those veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running- and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed- that exhilarating finish in and with God- he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

On Mission with God

Over summer vacation I've been trying to take a break from a lot of non-fiction reading, particularly dealing with missions. It was all I read about last semester and I think I got a bit worn out on the topic.

Recently though I've been trying to remember my heart for missions and why I am really in Texas. Sometimes I can get bogged down with the daily details and frustrations and forget the ultimate purpose for the work I'm doing- seeing people groups transformed by the Gospel. I went back to my Perspectives book from the class I took at my church this spring and found an article that I particularly loved. It's called "On Mission with God" by Henry Blackaby and Avery Willis. I love their introductory paragraph:

"God is on mission. He has been on mission throughout history to accomplish His purpose throughout the earth. Each time we see God in the Bible, He is acting in accordance with His purpose: to reveal Himself in order that His name would be glorified, that His Kingdom would be established and that some from every people would be reconciled to Himself." (p. 74 in Perspectives)

I love that God has had the same purpose throughout history- to bring the peoples to a knowledge and love of Him. I get to be a part of His purpose and that is exciting!

Desert Song

I've been listening to and pondering this song lately. It's called "Desert Song" by the group Hillsong. Here are the words.

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides


Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames


Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here


Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand


Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship


Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

Whether we're in a season of great hope or great need we are still to worship God and come to Him. I was thinking about the Israelites and how they came through the desert before they got to the land of promise and how they experienced many different trials but also God's faithfulness and goodness each step of the way. Psalm 78:52 says, "But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert." God is faithful each season of our lives and I am thankful for the promises that He gives us.

"The world is too dangerous to live in- not because of the people who do evil, but because of the people who sit and let it happen".
~ Albert Einstein

This quote is displayed in the lobby of the Dallas Holocaust Museum, and serves as the major theme of the exhibit there. The museum tells 3 stories of bystanders during the Holocaust of World War 2. I recently visited the museum with a friend while she was in Dallas, and I've been thinking a lot about the atrocities that went on during that time, and what injustice is happening in our world today. I wonder what lives could have been saved if more people would have stood up to Hitler, the soldiers and the evil that went on.

So I have been thinking a lot about today too. There is so much going on in the world, so much injustice, so much oppression. I am quite comfortable in the US and sometimes its easy to forget that someone else around the world is suffering. I have been thinking about who I need to stand up for on a personal level, but also on a church level and national level. There are so many that come to mind:
~ The 27.9% of the world who have no access to someone to tell them about Jesus Christ
~ Those who are in war-torn Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iraq who have been forced to leave their homes as refugees
~ The unborn who can't fight for themselves
~ Believers in China, Indonesia and other places who can't worship publicly because they will be imprisoned or killed for their faith
~ Children who are forced into trafficking and slavery

How do we separate the idea of just jumping on a cause for it's own sake, and when do we need to stand up as God's children to say "enough is enough"? People lobby for their causes all the time, and there are many passionate people.

I'm not quite sure yet what my cause is, what injustice I need to take a stand against. But I don't want to be like many of the bystanders during World War 2 who did nothing to save the Jews and others. Sometimes it just takes one person to follow Christ's leading, even if it means risking everything.

The Adventure

I have been a bit absent from the blogging world for a few weeks. First I was wrapping up a busy end of the semester, and then I was home in the lovely state of Nebraska for 2 1/2 weeks. There is nothing like going home. But, here I am, back in Texas and will try to get back into putting out some thoughts from time to time.


While I was home I heard a pretty great sermon in a series on characteristics of a servant leader. The pastor was highlighting a different characteristic each week, and the week I was there the focus was on the Adventurous servant leader. I'm not sure if I would have used "adventurous" to describe a servant leader before, but after hearing the sermon I got excited about the idea. Here are a few points from the sermon and my thoughts.


The first point of the sermon was that the adventurous servant leader has a cause and they are committed to that cause. Acts 20:24 says, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace". Paul's cause was the Kingdom of God and sharing the Good News. He was not only committed to this task but he took action and he inspired others along the way.


The life of the adventurous servant leader will involve risk and hardship. But that is where faith in God comes in. We do not walk blindly without a Guide. Corrie ten Boom described faith as the "Fantastic Adventure in Trusting Him".

I think walking by faith makes each day an adventure. Sure, not everything we do each day involves stepping outside of our comfort zone or taking huge risks. But for me, the adventure begins when I ask God to help me see the people around me with His eyes. I don't know when that means I will stop to talk to someone or just offer a helping hand, or when God might ask for another step of obedience. But I've said, "Yes, Lord" and I've taken off any strings or "Yes, buts..". I don't always feel very adventurous, actually most of the time I don't. But what better place to be, then to have to say, "Lord I'm trusting You in this because I'm in way over my head", and then watch how He provides the strength and resources you need. I hope that you will see what adventures God has for you in the small things every day as well as in the grand journeys He may take you on.

Wrapping Things Up

This week is bringing to a close my first year of graduate school and also the 15 week course of Perspectives that I took at my church. I have learned so much from all of these classes and hope that I can apply what I've learned as I continue to grow.

By the end of the semester, I wasn't as faithful in reading for Perspectives (or my classes) as I should have been. I was ready to be done. But I am so thankful I got the chance to take the class and learn from the different authors we read and speakers each week. Here are some key things I will take away from Perspectives:
1. God has a plan from beginning to end. The Bible isn't just a collection of a bunch of different stories but one big, amazing story of God's heart for the peoples of the world.
2. We can learn from the missionaries that have gone before us. Their stories can inspire us, show us what not to do and encourage us to keep going during times of trial.
3. We should focus on building bridges with those from other cultures rather than putting up walls. Instead of going in with an agenda we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and raise up leaders from among the people group.

I'm sure there are more things that stood out to me during the 15 weeks, and I hope to sit down and process more of what I learned this summer.

I also had my last night of Missiology class and the semester is coming to a close. I'm ready for summer but it's been a great semester.

A Time...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Last week, it seemed, was a time for death. Lena's brother passed away after 3 months of health complications. One of my college classmates was killed in a motorcycle accident. The president and a large number of top officials of Poland were in a plane crash and lost their lives. 2 kids died in a house fire in my home town. These are just the ones that touched my circle of influence in some way.

I don't always understand the reasons God does the things a certain way. I don't know why Lena's brother lived to be in his 70s, and my classmate Mark only lived to be 23. But I'm thankful that God is in control of all of our lives, and he has our days numbered. These deaths didn't happen outside of his plan for the overall scheme of things. He is going to provide healing and life to those who are mourning right now, because that's how God works. So I don't have to understand, but I do need to trust and praise Him no matter what.

Encountering Other Religions

Actually in both of my classes this week we are looking at the topic of encountering other religions and the Christian response. I think this is an area in which I used to be pretty rigid. No other religions are correct, and Jesus is the only way to salvation. I still believe that Jesus is the only way, but I feel like I have been able to approach other religions with a bit more of an open mind.

I appreciated this quote from my Missiology textbook: "A missionary can be uncompromising without being vindictive or mean-spirited. By focusing energy on positively living and teaching the truth rather than constantly attacking lies, missionaries will be more effective in encouraging people people to change allegiances and follow Christ".

I appreciated this quote because it offered a solid middle ground in between two extremes. As Christians we are to love the people around us and I think this means lots of listening and respect for what they believe. But we must also remain solidly grounded in the Bible and our beliefs. Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life and our job and privilege is to share that with others.

Ode to "The White Car"

My car has had several issues this week, and in order to process it all and relieve a little stress my sister encouraged me to write a memoir of sorts of my car. I don't have a special name for it, but for the longest time my family simply referred to it as "the white car" (as opposed to the red car which belonged to my sister and the gray car belonging to my brother).

I have been driving this car for 8 years, since right before my 16th birthday. I used it to take the driver's test to get my licence, which took place in the thriving metropolis of Pierce, Nebraska. It was a great little car because it had lots of zip and the heat and AC worked great (this seemed particularly impressive at the time I guess to compared to other vehicles we had).

I have put a lot of miles on that car since my 16th birthday. I was the first kid in the family to start driving so I got to shuttle siblings to church activities, baseball practice, and all kinds of things.

I remember packing up my things to head off the day after I graduated from high school to go to staff training at Timberlake Ranch Camp. I drove back and forth every weekend so I could spend that time with my family.

Then I packed up the car again for my freshmen year of college. My car saw a lot of miles through the 4 years driving back and forth to Northwestern. Since I was one of the few of my friends who had a car I got to be the chauffeur on many occasions which was great. Through the years we made trips to Lifelight, Sioux City for bridesmaids dress shopping, wing outings, and countless Walmart runs.

And now my car has served me faithfully (well, up until last fall) in Texas. Even with the various issues over the last 9 months or so I am still grateful for my little white car and being able to get to school and back and all the other places I need to go. I'm not sure how much more the white car can take, but I'm grateful for the past 8 years. Considering the car is almost as old as I am, it has lasted quite well.

The Task Remaining

In the Perspectives course I'm taking at my church we have moved from the history of missions to a look at how the Gospel is communicated in other places and cultures. Last week we looked at how God is moving forward with His passion to see all the people groups of the world have the ability to hear the Gospel in a culturally relevant manner. Our study included the following definition.

Strategic: people pursuing a God-given vision live with strategic intent. The vision virtually captures them. They no longer dream about what could happen. They become convinced that certain things must happen. They make choices as if each day held abiding value. They are not driven by obligation. They live in the dignity and liberty of knowing they give their utmost for God's purposes.

My organization talks a lot about strategy in how we live. It is important to be strategic in the planting of churches for their growth and reproduction. But how am I to be strategic sitting in an office here in Plano, Texas? How does God want me to live each day in dignity and liberty? I am pondering these questions and putting them out there for you to mull over as well.