The "how to the so what"

I was relaxing at home tonight flippin' between the Golf Channel and Fox News when my cell phone rang. When I answered, it was a friend who spent two years with his wife in a restricted country in North Africa. I say "restricted" because this country doesn't allow missionaries to work in their country, but of course, there are not restrictions for people who have a legitimate work or student visa to live there for a specifiic period of time. That is exactly what my friends were doing; however, they were also obeying Christ's command to "go and make disciples and to teach them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:18-19).

Anyway, he called me tonight to share about a new opportunity that God has given him through his local fellowship where he serves as the youth pastor. Recently, he took some students on their first ever out of the country mission trip to Argentina where they worked with other believers to advance the gospel. Before he left, the lead pastor of his church asked him to think about a way that their church could become more intentional in taking the gospel to another culture. While he was there, he thought and prayed about what this might look like in their local church context. Then, he had an idea. Perhaps my family (wife and two small children) and I could go to Argentina next summer and take some of our students, live among the people of a mega unreached city, and faciliate short term mission teams from our church to help us do exactly what Jesus commanded all believers to do - "go and make discipeles." Well, when he returned home and discussed the idea with his pastor the response was not what he expected. His pastor said, "Wow, William (not his real name pseudonym) that is a great idea! That is exactly what we should do." Not only was William surprised at his pastor's affirmation but he even agreed that they should allow him to hire a part time assistant pastor who would help him coordinate this project and serve as the youth pastor while he was in Argentina. Then his wife Elizabeth (pseudonym) also affirmed the idea.

You might be thinking, that's a nice story but so what? The "so what" becomes God's greatest desire for all of His children who are in Christ. When we seek to know God's heart (will) and our desires and passions align with Scripture (Bible), we should not be surprised that God will give us clear direction about "the how to the so what." Besides God's purpose for all peoples is that they may know Him (personally and intimately) and bring glory to to his Name. For all of God's people, His heart's desire is for all people to be reconciled to Him through the cross of Christ (1 Cor. 15:3b-4a). This mystery of the gospel is a historical fact that demonstrates Christ's victory over sin (our rebellion against God) and death (spritual separation from God).

Brothers and sisters in Christ - our life's purpose and task is to take "the message to all peoples cross-culturally." What are you doing to fulfill Christ's mandate?

To read a well-written blog article on reconcilation, I recomend Austin Grigg's blog posting on July 14, 2010. Here is the web link http://artofunnaming.blogspot.com/.

Why did I decide to blog?

I had a conversation with my daughter recently who has a blog site and told her how much I enjoyed reading her blog. She asked me why I enjoyed reading it and I said, "because it allows me to learn more about your heart, your desires, your passions, and besides you're a really talented and creative writer." And then she replied, "dad you ought to have a blog too! It doesn't really matter if anyone reads it, but it gives you an outlet for expressing your thoughts and your passions." I mused for a moment, thought about her words for several days and decided she's right. So I hope my blog will enable me to let my creative juices flow and share topics or should I say the Person that has the most important message for humanity. I believe that if I am faithful with a little (His message) then He will make me faithful with a lot (more of His message). Besides, The Message for All Peoples is the most important message anyone can know and that in itself is reason enough to blog so that perhaps more people may read and know His Message. That is ... the Message of the Kingdom of heaven.