i have an old friend whose most prized possession was her GPS. She took it everywhere with her and if she found herself driving without it, her anxiety level increased substantially. Whenever we would go somewhere together, she would have me drive, and i have to be honest, getting used to that GPS was a huge challenge for me. Not only was it a bit “foreign” having a woman with a british accent talking to me all the time, but constantly being told which direction to go was nerve racking for someone who is generally pretty good with directions. If you have ever used a GPS i am sure you can relate either to me or my friend. The interesting thing to me however, and the great benefit to having a GPS, is that when you make a wrong turn, the GPS will “re-calibrate” and give you new directions to get you back on track! No more pulling over to a random gas station to ask the attendant for directions, instead, your lovely British online navigator will re-calibrate your every move in order to keep you on course to your destination.
As many of you know, i have just returned from Nepal, where my team spent two and a half weeks doing some pretty amazing ministry. We recorded most our time on film in order to create a documentary of the plight of the Nepali people and what we are doing to make a difference in the lives of many who are suffering. It was an amazing time that took us from teaching in a Bible school in Kathmandu, to several public and private schools both in the cities as well is in remote mountain villages. We went from ministering to a community of lepers, to preaching in an old sheep barn that is now the church home to 30 new believers in the village of Ghandruk. We went from sitting on the streets with 6-8 year olds addicted to glue, to sitting in the homes of several friends who wonder each day where their next meal is going to come from. In Nepal, the team i lead did an amazing job of communicating the love of Jesus with each and every person we encountered. Thanks to the hearts and generosity of this team, many physical needs are being met, food has been provided, school fees have been paid, and the good news of Jesus and His love and grace has been proclaimed, changing lives for eternity. It was an amazing time of seeing God work in our lives as well as in the lives of the Nepali and Tibetan people.
Having had such an amazing experience, you would think that coming home would be filled with thoughts of God’s faithfulness. And in many ways, you would be right. However, the more i go into all the world and share the good news, coming home is always a challenge for me. Re entering the world as i know it, here in America, is very difficult. The first couple weeks is an enormous challenge, even for a seasoned missionary of 20+ years. i find myself feeling intensely alone, missing not only my team, but the friends i have left behind for the next 6 months. i find myself spiritually and emotionally exhausted from the intense ministry i have just completed. It is in moments like this that i am reminded of something my old mentor Greg used to say to me. He would tell me that times when we are emotionally and spiritually exhausted, we are always in danger of being cowards. What he meant by that, was that we are in danger of becoming complacent, we stop caring, we don’t think straight, and are in danger of making poor decisions and bad choices that get us off track. It is in these times that temptation is most significant, and satan seeks to derail us.
This is the place i found myself this past week. Tired, lonely, feeling sorry for myself, missing my friends in Nepal, and my amazing team of students, and struggling with why i am able to drop $15 bucks at Famous Dave’s when Susma is continuing to struggle with the $24 a month she makes to support her and her daughter. i found myself this past week making poor decisions. Decisions that were selfish, prideful, and choices that quickly got me off track and lost. i needed to re -calibrate the direction of my life! This, however, did not come through a British woman telling me what to do, but rather through a dynamic and powerful Mexican named D.A. Horton, and through the power of the Word of God. D.A. reminded me of the cost that comes with following Jesus Christ with my whole heart. He reminded me in Luke 9 about the DAILY task of picking up my cross and following Jesus. He reminded me of the tough choices i have to make in order to honor God and honor those around me as we seek to live completely in tune with our Lord and Savior. And God reminded me through Hebrews 4:12-13 that “...the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
i am thankful for the cross. For the grace and forgiveness that is ours when we stray off course, and for the power that is ours through the living word. i am also thankful for the gentle but powerful voice of the Holy Spirit that sometimes comes with a Mexican accent. And i am thankful for friends who always keep their GPS nearby to insure that we all stay on track. How is your calibration? It’s good to be on the right track and moving in the right direction, if you find yourself taking a wrong turn, “...listen to His voice, hold fast to Him, for the Lord is your life...” Deut 30:20.
Thanks for all your prayers and for your amazing support of the ministry i am a part of. i will continue to seek the Lord and His direction as together we take this good news to the utter most parts of the world. God Bless!!
scotty brown
Eph 5:10
No comments:
Post a Comment