The Write of Shame:
I keep saying I will blog more frequently and I admit I've allowed my time to be consumed into other things but resolve this year to write more often.- Pinky promise this time.
For years I've put my thoughts, experiences, provoking calls to ministry, reflections in my own walk in countless journals. With me traveling around the world this can certainly lighten my load and help me catalog so here we are....
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Title of today's post: Anyway
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:17-18
I'm not sure if I'm seeing it more on the full time ministry front or perhaps God is calling my attention to it, but I'm noticing more and more conflict between Christians toward other Christians. It is of course no new concept, we know that as long as there is sin in the world and we are broken people that conflict and divisiveness will continue to try to creep into our lives- even from well meaning people....even between Christians.
<<< Inside the Tissue- I mean ISSUE >>>
>>> Case in point: Sharing and Giving.... shhh! { in secret }
Over the last 14 years in long and short term missions I've witnessed a lot of behaviors, motivations, and attitudes toward giving. Some pushing themselves in the spotlight, some pushing personal achievement, and losing focus of who has provided us with the resources, opportunity, and positions us to serve others in HIS NAME.
I have to say it is not only disheartening to see a well meaning individual lose focus in wanting to give and share but do so in a worldly, naturally well that requires recognition and praise from others. And furthermore, feed on this false praise to affirm what they are doing before the eyes of men.
>> It is heart breaking because I believe God gifts us with unique opportunities to serve and please him by meeting the needs of others not by boasting but my building up others from backstage, in the crowd, away from the limelight. <<<
As I'm not the know all be all, and am in no way perfect let's defer to the Scriptures!
I believe our modern trumpets can include common modalities and devices that point the recognition back to us instead of back to Christ.
{Ex. How we use media publications and social media.}
>>> So what does this mean exactly? For those of us (me) that need a visual, here we go.
It means even something as close to you as your other hand, let all things be done on the DOWN LOW. Why the secret?
Because when our old nature- worldly, sinning selves desire to promote what God is doing as ours, we are ultimately robbing Him of HIS glory. It becomes null, void, moot. Less effective.
It becomes inwardly motivated instead of outward, purpose driven, Kingdom minded missions.
And that by letting everyone know what you are helping to do, have been asked to do, and announcing to the world for your own glory you are only going to receive a temporary, empty, and hollow reward on earth supported by retweets, likes, and the approval of man.
...when our hearts should be postured toward getting the ultimate LIKE from our Father in Heaven.
My hope in all of my writing is that none of my posts come across as judgmental or "holier than thou" indeed I have been guilty as charged in my past of any and all offenses. Guilty plea. But... recently the call to write this stemmed from an experience I had recently in ministry.
>>> I found in this experience even more heart breaking than seeing a well meaning individual lose focus and begin the personal glory road, is the disheartening and discouragement to the person who seeks to give in secret but experiences judgement from other well meaning Christians because what they have prepared behind the scenes, seek to do according to the call and convictions given to them by the Heavenly Father, and plan to share in obedience to that... and is not out in the open for all to see, share, and approve. >Sadly this is a true story of misunderstanding, judgement, and divisiveness.
Both of which seek to hinder the ultimate goal- to meet a need through us for Christ. Both taking us off target and losing our focus.
Both tactics of Satan.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
True Story >>
In an effort to take the higher road and share for the purposes of bringing joy and honor to Christ I will share points that were important in this story.
*In ministry- short and long term, there are MANY moving parts.
What we see on the surface level is not always what is really happening or all that is happening for that matter. We have to learn to look beyond what is presented and who is presenting it.
> There are a lot of ministries happening all at once by many individuals, some supported by popular advocates, and some that are just beginning and are getting on their feet.
When you continue to build relationships year long with people you meet in the short term you can begin to see there is a much greater need than just what is presented in 8 days.
* Call to Respond-
> God helps us build these relationships, convicts our hearts, and calls us to move on it. - Whether everyone knows all about it or not.
> He shares needs that are obtainable in group and by individual
> If in group it is easy to see a shared vision and goal
> If by individual the task is unique, specific, and does not require individual boasting, frequent sharing and again approval.
Now what happens when all of this is happening year round apart from people you shared experiences with on a team and then the Call and the Crowd converge?
Easily enough people don't understand why one person's approach is different than that of the group.
The group can begin to question, divide, judge, and condemn. OR the group can begin to trust, respond, and seek to understand.
>> One thing that is not often seen in short term missions is that with all of the unique experiences happening in such a short period of time, the concept of what happens after we leave is out of sight, out of mind. For some a week is enough, a yearly trip is enough, and for others who are called to partner year round, ministry continues after your flight returns home. Out of the watchful eyes of well meaning Christians. <<
The BIG PICTURE of this POST-
When forced with the choice to criticize or condemn, instead seek to understand and approach in private to catch a glimpse of the amazing opportunities available that God is using that person to help bridge a gap, meet, a need, based on that person's experiences/gifts/talents/ with people in ministry.
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