Who's the boss?

“And we all, who with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Ministry is confusing. You can work and work and work and one day wake up realizing that you have done nothing of importance, nothing eternal. I am learning this lesson here, as one who loves to stay busy and works hard for the approval of others. A lot of days my work becomes my idol. I said this in a previous post, but I am not here in Africa to do work for God. I am here in Africa to do God’s work. So I am left to ponder, what does that truly mean?

I think the term missionary can carry a heavy burden. From a Christian point of view, I feel like there are certain “spiritual” acts that I must carry out. I must memorize the Bible. I must save so many people, or preach the Good News so many times, or even, I have to make sure that the children under my care are saved. But the truth is, that my work begins where God’s grace has laid the foundation. He does not need me. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace; my work as His disciple, is to disciple lives until they are wholly yielded to God. God has brought me to a standard of life by His grace, and I am responsible for reproducing that standard in others.

So what then is my responsibility? To fall deeply and madly in love with the One my soul longs for. Not to make a check list to work through, but to know Him so intimately that He is able to complete His work through me. I cannot choose to love God to the degree in which He deserves, but when His Spirit is having His way in me, I live according to His standard without knowing it. The springs of love are in God, not in me. It is not possible to find the love of God in my own heart, it is only there when it has been spread out by the Holy Spirit. If I try to prove how much I love Him, it is a sure sign that I do not love Him. It must come naturally carrying a little bit of spontaneity.

“The life of God manifests itself in this spontaneous way because the springs of love are in the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 5:5).” – Oswald Chambers 

This is Africa

“It is Christ…who also makes intercession for us.” – Romans 8:34

I have learned many expressions in the short time I have been here in Africa. One of the most commonly used phrases I hear from the missionaries, “This is Africa”, loosely meaning that people come and go pretty much as they please and do pretty much what they want. People walk down the middle of the street, they park down the middle of the aisle in a parking lot, and businesses are closed on the Monday after Easter because yesterday was a holiday. But I do not think I fully comprehended the meaning of this phrase until yesterday, Easter Sunday as we were singing “O come let us adore Him” in church. I remember just looking at Amber and smiling because “hey, this is Africa”. But that got me to thinking, do I full comprehend the apathetic mindset that causes people here to do whatever they please and not care about the welfare of others?

One of the great things, for a person who does not have a clue what to do with free time, is that in ministry there is always work to be done. Important work that betters the ministry. But this weekend, I realized something as I was busy being busy. I had the opportunity to house mother for seven children under the age of eleven. Each day there is a checklist of things they must do including bathing, chores, and school work. All of these very important structure for the children. I found myself getting caught up in making sure all the work was done instead of the well being of the child. I did not take the time to listen to what God had to tell me about these children or how I should respond in each situation with discernment, love, and understanding until one night the three oldest came to me and asked to pray with me. I asked them what they wanted to pray about and they shared concerns over their house parent’s safety, their relationships with their siblings, Uncle Brian who had not been feeling well that day, and even me. How great is Thy faithfulness to teach me so much through these beautiful children.

I am not here in Africa to do work for God. I am here in Africa to do God’s work. If I busy myself with the daily checklist, I will miss out on the opportunity to reach out, intercede, and show someone else His love. So it is now that I desire to get into such a living relationship with God that my relationship to others may be maintained on the line of intercession where God can work His marvels. And to know God so intimately that I feel His prompting in every situation and act with His discernment. But most importantly, to never lose sight of the people He has laid on my heart and show them His love above all else.

“A heartless Christian must be a terrible grief to Our Lord.” – Oswald Chambers