Mission problems

Being on the mission field with a free day is dangerous for me. I read and think too much for my own good. Take this verse for instance:
Ephesians 4: 30 ESV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

I read this and don't see hidden meanings. I don't see this as a mystery of the Word of God. It seems simple. Yet I see people, church-goin, Jesus-declaring, supposedly Spirit-filled people that are attempting to lead others that seem to be the opposite of what this verse says. 

I love taking people on mission trips. For many its life-changing. For many, it opens their eyes to what a man or woman is. And it's not as much about what they do but who they are. And then when they get in a jam or life doesn't go the way they thought it should, hopefully they fall back on what God has taught them. They continue being that symbol of Christ. 

But so many in the churches of the great USA seem to forget the simplicity of these verses. They get hurt or annoyed and they act out like a 2 year old. And their excuse is that they have been inconvenienced, or um, hurt, and therefore they're justified in ignoring Gods simple instructions to "be kind" and "forgive like Christ". At times it causes me to want to act out also. And I want to. God has given me a gift to speak and sometimes it can be a curse. I have cutting words and cute phrases that would put these people in their place but then I remember that this isn't the life that I decided on when I decided to follow Christ. 

So here I am. Laying in a hotel room about to get on a bus for a 2 hour ride to the next church contemplating the Bible's great mysteries. Only they aren't mysteries. I am called, instructed, and expected to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect regardless of what they do or have done. So I will pray and take my grievances to God instead of others and hopefully be an example for my wife, my kids, grandson, and anyone else that I will have the privilege to influence. 

After what I have seen at home and around the world I have no choice. God has called me and I accepted that call. He has called me to not only love but to also be loving. I need to try harder whether anyone else does or not!

Have a great week and please pray for us here in Panama!

Pastor Dad

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