There is something alluring about sharing the Gospel with
the heathen in Africa (or Europe or South America, etc.), smuggling Bibles,
working in closed countries, boldly standing in courtrooms, translating God's
Word, preaching to thousands, seeing souls changed by hundreds.
But what about washing dishes, praying, loving our family,
serving our church, ministering where we cannot be seen? Even as I write this
list, I feel my heart deflating a little. Washing dishes? What is that compared
to handing a Bible to a hungry soul? Staying with my family? What about being a
"mom" to some orphans out there in a remote orphanage?
We say, "Lord, I'll follow You wherever You lead,"
but do we truly mean it?
Africa - "Yes, Lord, I'll go there."
Stay home - "Um, I think You got things wrong here.
That's not ministry."
China - "Ah! Yes, Lord, I'll go there."
Pray - "Pray? Really. That's not doing something for Christ's kingdom!"
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me,
let him deny himself,
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
For whosoever
will save his life shall lose it:
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake,
the same shall save it.
(Luke 9:23-24)
"Oh yes, Lord, I'll do that ... but the cross must look
like ministry in my eyes. If I am to lose my life, it must be burying myself in
some foreign country, not in piles of laundry."
How do we view "taking up our cross?" Does it really mean following Christ -- or
following our preconceived ideas of "what this cross looks like?"
If the cross leads somewhere exciting ... somewhere
"going" ... somewhere "doing" ... yes, we're willing to go,
to follow. But what if that path leads somewhere that looks very un-ministry? Are
we submitted to God's guidance -- or the guidance of our ideals?
We can spiritualize the paths we want to take. Desiring to
be a missionary, pastor, orphanage worker, or participating in some other
visible ministry is not bad -- in fact, they are all Scriptural. But just
because we want to do it does not mean we're following God, taking up our
cross, and denying selves. For some people, staying home and washing dishes
takes more self-denial than the excitement of going out of country for
ministry. Following God will not always look like some grand adventure, because
God doesn't measure our service by actions but by obedience and submission.
I am not trying to be anti-missions/ministry here. I am all
about mission-work. I love the missionaries and ministries I know and fully
support them, whether they be home or abroad. Jesus said to pray for more
harvest workers, He said to "go ye therefore." But He also says
simply, "Follow Me."
If any man serve me, let him follow Me;
and where I am, there
shall also my servant be: if any man serve Me,
him will My Father honour.
John 12:26
I don't notice any specific
ministries or mission-points mentioned in this verse. For some, "Follow
Me" will mean "Go to the Philippines" or "Go to Iraq."
For others, "Follow Me" will mean, "Be an orphanage worker"
or "Reach out to those unloved and hurting." For yet others,
"Follow Me" just might mean, "Stay single and serve with your
family" or "Get a job and be a light there."
When Jesus says, "Follow Me," are we willing to
give up our ideals of where the path may lead? Are we really willing to go
wherever and do whatever?
2 comments:
Thank you, thank you for this! A wonderful reminder.
You're welcome! It's a reminder that I need often as well. :)
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