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/.