Which requires more faith: dealing directly with God and trusting the unseen in the physical realm,
OR
dealing with man and the seen, in which the spiritual realm is still very real and present, yet not as tangible?
I'll explain what I mean through an example. Which missionary has more faith: the one who is part of a faith-based organization, relying on prayer for support (like George Mueller)
OR
A missionary who is part of an organization which provides his physical needs and has a network of prayer support, but bureaucratic, rather micromanaging tendencies in the name of ensuring constancy in the vision and goal of its workers?
Because the former deals directly with the Almighty who is Unseen but always Present and Perfect and reliable.
The second deals with imperfect humans who are obnoxious and irritating and backstabbing, and one must again rely completely on the Lord for feedback and guidance when interacting with said individuals. Not saying that ALL of them are like that ALL the time, but that particular aspect IS more ready in the second setting than the first. Just sayin.'
It has recently occurred to me that my time as a full time undergrad student is entering into its final chapter (providing no further catastrophe's decide to drop in on my life, that is) and I need to start thinking about what I'm going to do with myself once I get that much-coveted piece of paper that says I'm a real person who has a brain (i.e. my diploma). There's several options of what I could do and they are all good. The trouble is which applications do I start praying about and filling out and which ones do I not even bother about?
Part of me isn't worried about it at all and the other part is trying to not start hyperventilating from anxiety. There's been so much wierdness and transition in my life for the last year and a half and it was so nice to just have a breather this semester of nothing wacky disrupting life (shoot, I've gotten all my papers turned in on time this semester, and decent grades on all my tests!! do you know how LONG its BEEN since that happened?!) and now I've got to start looking ahead to the next big transition. What to do after graduation. Shoot. I don't WANNA!
Part of me looks with longing at my friends who will graduate with the M.R.S. degree, and another part of me is incredibily releived that I"m not yet 'chained to a house of stone' as Tolkien's character says (somewhat paraphrased) in "The Return of the King" (BOOK, not movie). On the one hand its intimidating to have that aspect of my future completely open for any possibility and on the other hand profoundly liberating and adventuresome to trust the fact that I serve an amazing God who has amazing plans and will do amazing things with me as I am and bring amazing people into my future. A guest speaker in class today mentioned the fact that as single people we can hop into the car for off-hand road trips and are far more open to ministry at late night hours in out-of-the-way places than people with families are. And while I have been told numerous times that I am CLEARLY not called to be single, I am incredibly thankful for this season of singleness.
There's a recruiter on campus who works for a faith-based organization. Talking with him today revealed a ministry that reflected many of the mentalities and guiding principles that I was convicted of when I returned home from the mission field in 2006. While I don't know if this is the particular ministry God wants me to work with long term, it has definately given me food for thought and caused me to examine mindsets and mentalities I have grown out of in the last few years. Or areas that I haven't wanted to think about because of the 'survival mode' I had been operating under since October of 2009. Not trying to sound TOO dramatic or anything. Its just I've got 'The Last Samurai" soundtrack playing while I write this, and emotionally - extended family passing away, my parent's house fire, and other personal drama - its felt like I've had a finger over the 'red alert, panic stations' button for a while.
SO while the faith-based organization is appealing, I'm realizing that I've turned into a chicken regarding faith for crazy, long term things. SO the question to be voiced in my prayer life now is, have I 'lost' an aspect of young faith that I had when I was 18, or have I grown and matured in my faith and learned that certain things simply aren't 'wise'?
Some very good friends of mine (its a whole family) are, along with their church, supporting a student from Africa who is bringing his family over while he finishes school, despite severe financial setbacks. The constant question this family has asked themselves is, 'when does it stop being faith and become simply crazy?'
A lot of the stories you read about amazing faith-filled lives (greats such as George Mueller, Gladys Ailward, Corrie Ten Boom, etc) include stories of pure craziness.
There is a difference between crazy faith and foolishness, but again, how does one differentiate?
I was asked today in class by the guest speaker, "Out of all the places you've lived, which one is your favorite?" I asked for clarification. "Well which one would you like to move back to and settle down in?"
Well to be frank I couldn't answer him; not because I've hated all the places I've lived but because for whatever reason the thought of 'settling down' and planning where I live just hasn't ever been on the radar for a while. God opens doors and I either run through them or get kicked through them. Never entirely sure what is happening at the time, but sure that the fingerprints of God are all over the events. (I didn't say it half as good as that at the time)
Yes I am definitely in ramble-mode. Sorry.
So all that to say, the Lord has just been bringing people into my life that have me constantly evaluating and praying and Listening and searching Scripture and Waiting and Wondering.
SO the reason for the opening question is... faith based organization run in a fashion similar to George Mueller's operation...
or the safer route... IMB? Not sure.
They both have pro's and con's. They both have areas in which I strongly agree and area's in which I'm not entirely sure I stand and other areas that... well, please just don't ask my opinion of it, thank you. ;-) But its that way with anything...
I know I've got about a year and a half to make decisions, but as I said... application processes take six months to a year...
And I REALLY don't want to be one of those graduates who collapses with relief upon getting the diploma from the Dean and doesn't DO anything for a year or two...
Okay enough of sending my wack-job thoughts and musings into the void. I'm going to bed. Unless, of course, my dear roomie wants to let me have more of her lamb-mushroom-curry-amazingness that she let me try a few seconds ago.... *smacks lips*
:-D
p.s. Okay so the websites for the two mission organizations I'm talking about in this post are:
IMB:
http://www.imb.org
WEC
http://www.wec-usa.org
Living day to day trying to keep Christ as the focus
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Excellent video!!!
Desiring God Q&A Panel - Loving Our Muslim Neighbors from The Summit Church on Vimeo.
This is a very interesting video we watched for class. I tried copying the embed code and pasting it here, so... hopefully you can see it. Or you can go to http://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2010/10/loving-our-muslim-neighbors.html and see it there. It talks specifically about ministering to Muslims, but a lot of what they talk about is very helpful just in examining our own faith as we work it out with fear and trembling, as well as ministry in general to unbelievers :-)
Enjoy!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Clash of the paradigms
It's weird, because as a Misisons Major at a Bible College, I'm reading almost more than I can stomach regarding different missiological approaches towards the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, when confronted with one of the people I read about in these books and actually hearing how their lack of faith manifests itself, I never ceased to be amazed and at the same time somewhat appalled.
What brought about this opening statement is the confuddlement I have been grappling with since befriending two lovely Turkish ladies who are also Muslim. One seems a little more open to the Gospel than the other, but both have asked me and my friend to explain the Bible to them so that they can understand it correctly. (yeah. No weighty responsibility contained in that commission at ALL!) And both times we've met and conversed I've been hit with the overwhelming realization at how complex and bizarre the Christian worldview is when perceived by non-believers. Its so simple once you get it, but when you haven't gotten it yet, its just weird.
A prime example is when we were answering some questions regarding Isa, the Islamic name for Jesus. They believe in Jesus, they love Jesus. They respect Him and actually Mohammed wrote some very touching things about Him in the Qur'an. They even believe that He was born of the virgin Mary, and that it was God who put Him in her womb.
However, He is NOT God nor the Son of God, because how can God have a son, and clearly God is ONE not two.
There's differences of opinions regarding sin and depravity amongst Muslims, but the one lady has informed me emphatically and repeatedly that Adam's sin in no way effects her. Her sins are her OWN, not Adams, thank you very much.
And the Law is simple to fulfill. If we don't fulfill the Law, that is our own business. Sin stems from abuse of sexual instincts or rejection of God.
I always start to get a headache by the end of my conversations with them because its such a paradigm shift.
There was one point in the conversation where we were trying to explain the Atonement in response to some very pertinent questions she had.
"Wait. You think that JESUS died for OUR sins?!?!" she exclaimed once we overcame the language barrier.
"Well... yes..." my friend and I answered, not entirely sure where the amazement stemmed from.
"No. Wait. God gave US the law to fulfill. Its there, its clear. And if we CHOOSE not to obey it, then He pays for it Himself? That doesn't make any SENSE!"
Or today, for class I had to visit a 'center of cultural or alternative worship.' Blech. I was raised in a Christian environment my whole life, and I've had this type of assignment before where I have to go to some other established meeting place of non-truth-religion. I always leave with a headache.
My mom explained it to me once this way: How do Federal Agents know when they come across a counterfeit bill that it is fake? Do they study the various methods and means by which false currency is made? No. Not at all. Do you know what they do? They study the real thing to such detail that they immediately recognize when a single splotch of ink is out of place. (okay maybe slight exaggeration there, but you get the idea)
I guess the same thing is coming through in this case: having been raised a Christian and fallen in love with Jesus Christ and wanting the propagation of His Kingdom to be my life's work, its appalling and offensive when I see His name slandered.
The Iranian gentleman who led the meeting today was a man overflowing with friendliness and hospitality. A sweetheart if ever I met one, although still possessing a very faint aura of creepiness that always accompanies a leader of any cult.
I have to give a group presentation on the Baha'i faith for class, and I asked the gentleman if we could possibly interview him later on this semester and even video tape the interview as well as photograph the center.
"Listen, listen. Let me explain myself to you. I want you to see me as your friend. Obviously there must be time and trust that will be established through friendship, but consider this community center yours and all you need available to you."
(Don't worry, I'm not going to enter there without my burly classmate accompanying me again.)
I was touched by his seeming sincerity but wondered how far I could push his commitment of compliance. With all the wacky events that have happened in my life the last few years, I've learned to take such offers with a tad bit of cynicism, even when they come from Christians; and especially when they come from non-believers.
However, his charisma was endearing. But I couldn't help but have a strong feeling of offense rise when he began explaining that Jesus Christ was just another manifestation/man possessed by god, just like Bahu-u-llah.
"NO! That is NOT true!" my inner-self screamed. "JESUS is the ONLY Way, Truth, and Life, and there is no other way by which you can be saved, friend!"
I've always had the opinion that religious radicals need to take a deep breath, smell some flowers, and stop taking life so seriously. But I had never had my beliefs so repeatedly and blatantly thrown in my face. And the funny thing is, this isn't in an antagonistic sort of way at all; its in a gentle, friendly way by people who seem genuinely concerned for my welfare.
So I'm not mad at them by any means, just struck with the profound tragedy of the reality of hell.
While headaches and fatigue always accompany such engagements with pagans, I haven't regretted an encounter so far. In fact I wonder why more Christians don't brave the headaches and circles under their eyes. I wonder why we are not more passionately pouring over Scripture to make sure our response is true and holy and correct in the eyes of God; not just in theology but in methodology.
C'mon, Christians. There are lots of people out there who need Jesus. Go find some of them! Its actually easier than you might think; the main point is for them to see the sincerity and authenticity of our faith. And if our faith is real, then that shouldn't be hard at all, right? ;-)
What brought about this opening statement is the confuddlement I have been grappling with since befriending two lovely Turkish ladies who are also Muslim. One seems a little more open to the Gospel than the other, but both have asked me and my friend to explain the Bible to them so that they can understand it correctly. (yeah. No weighty responsibility contained in that commission at ALL!) And both times we've met and conversed I've been hit with the overwhelming realization at how complex and bizarre the Christian worldview is when perceived by non-believers. Its so simple once you get it, but when you haven't gotten it yet, its just weird.
A prime example is when we were answering some questions regarding Isa, the Islamic name for Jesus. They believe in Jesus, they love Jesus. They respect Him and actually Mohammed wrote some very touching things about Him in the Qur'an. They even believe that He was born of the virgin Mary, and that it was God who put Him in her womb.
However, He is NOT God nor the Son of God, because how can God have a son, and clearly God is ONE not two.
There's differences of opinions regarding sin and depravity amongst Muslims, but the one lady has informed me emphatically and repeatedly that Adam's sin in no way effects her. Her sins are her OWN, not Adams, thank you very much.
And the Law is simple to fulfill. If we don't fulfill the Law, that is our own business. Sin stems from abuse of sexual instincts or rejection of God.
I always start to get a headache by the end of my conversations with them because its such a paradigm shift.
There was one point in the conversation where we were trying to explain the Atonement in response to some very pertinent questions she had.
"Wait. You think that JESUS died for OUR sins?!?!" she exclaimed once we overcame the language barrier.
"Well... yes..." my friend and I answered, not entirely sure where the amazement stemmed from.
"No. Wait. God gave US the law to fulfill. Its there, its clear. And if we CHOOSE not to obey it, then He pays for it Himself? That doesn't make any SENSE!"
Or today, for class I had to visit a 'center of cultural or alternative worship.' Blech. I was raised in a Christian environment my whole life, and I've had this type of assignment before where I have to go to some other established meeting place of non-truth-religion. I always leave with a headache.
My mom explained it to me once this way: How do Federal Agents know when they come across a counterfeit bill that it is fake? Do they study the various methods and means by which false currency is made? No. Not at all. Do you know what they do? They study the real thing to such detail that they immediately recognize when a single splotch of ink is out of place. (okay maybe slight exaggeration there, but you get the idea)
I guess the same thing is coming through in this case: having been raised a Christian and fallen in love with Jesus Christ and wanting the propagation of His Kingdom to be my life's work, its appalling and offensive when I see His name slandered.
The Iranian gentleman who led the meeting today was a man overflowing with friendliness and hospitality. A sweetheart if ever I met one, although still possessing a very faint aura of creepiness that always accompanies a leader of any cult.
I have to give a group presentation on the Baha'i faith for class, and I asked the gentleman if we could possibly interview him later on this semester and even video tape the interview as well as photograph the center.
"Listen, listen. Let me explain myself to you. I want you to see me as your friend. Obviously there must be time and trust that will be established through friendship, but consider this community center yours and all you need available to you."
(Don't worry, I'm not going to enter there without my burly classmate accompanying me again.)
I was touched by his seeming sincerity but wondered how far I could push his commitment of compliance. With all the wacky events that have happened in my life the last few years, I've learned to take such offers with a tad bit of cynicism, even when they come from Christians; and especially when they come from non-believers.
However, his charisma was endearing. But I couldn't help but have a strong feeling of offense rise when he began explaining that Jesus Christ was just another manifestation/man possessed by god, just like Bahu-u-llah.
"NO! That is NOT true!" my inner-self screamed. "JESUS is the ONLY Way, Truth, and Life, and there is no other way by which you can be saved, friend!"
I've always had the opinion that religious radicals need to take a deep breath, smell some flowers, and stop taking life so seriously. But I had never had my beliefs so repeatedly and blatantly thrown in my face. And the funny thing is, this isn't in an antagonistic sort of way at all; its in a gentle, friendly way by people who seem genuinely concerned for my welfare.
So I'm not mad at them by any means, just struck with the profound tragedy of the reality of hell.
While headaches and fatigue always accompany such engagements with pagans, I haven't regretted an encounter so far. In fact I wonder why more Christians don't brave the headaches and circles under their eyes. I wonder why we are not more passionately pouring over Scripture to make sure our response is true and holy and correct in the eyes of God; not just in theology but in methodology.
C'mon, Christians. There are lots of people out there who need Jesus. Go find some of them! Its actually easier than you might think; the main point is for them to see the sincerity and authenticity of our faith. And if our faith is real, then that shouldn't be hard at all, right? ;-)
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