The Many Faces

I am reminded that this summer will be full of faces. Faces of people who are dearly loved by their Creator. Faces of people with hurt and pain. Faces of people who need to know about the saving power of Jesus. There will be many faces I encounter this summer, but I pray that the most glorious face that will been seen this summer by all is the face of God. I pray that He will come with His powerful, glorious presence and capture all of our hearts.

“Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.” Psalm 24:6

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” Psalm 67:1

The students of East Asia

The children of India

The orphans of Uganda

The villagers of Slovenia

The teens of Nicaragua

Becoming all things…

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

One thing I love about God is His creativity. Whether I am observing nature or friends, there is such a uniqueness about how He creates things. I love that about him! Especially because I love being creative and making things myself.

Well you see, the past two days I have been reading in Acts–which by the way is a great book since it’s all about the early church. Read it! Anyway, I was in the chapter 16 and 17. Let me paint a picture of how Paul shared the gospel:

Lydia is a fairly wealthy and successful woman from Thyatira.
Paul was on his way to pray and he sat down and talked to a group of women.
He just sat down and shared the gospel with them.
And the Lord open up Lydia’s heart to believe.

Next, there is a Philippian jailer who seem very adamant about keeping Paul and Silas in line.
Paul and Silas, by the way, found themselves in jail. They rebuked an evil spirit that was making people money. The men obviously didn’t like that.
Paul and Silas are singing hymns and praying late into the night.
There is an earthquake, all the doors are opened, but no one leaves.
A miracle literally happens. No one LEAVES. Hello!
The jailer begs Paul to share with him the gospel of Jesus.
His whole family ends up believing.

Finally, a group of Jews and God-fearing Greeks in Thessalonica.
Paul spends three Sabbaths reasoning, explaining, and proving.
And they are persuaded.
To follow Jesus Christ.

Not one of these conversion experiences is the same. Not one of these people is the same. They are unique. And so is the how Lord presented his good news to them. Sometimes we get caught up in the outlines and the jargon when we share our faith. We think there is only one way to spread the gospel. What are we thinking? Each of these people Paul shared the truth with heard in a different way. Some needed to have a simple talk. Some needed a miracle. And some needed reasoning. But they all need Jesus.

I am reminded that when I share Jesus this summer, each of the individuals is different. They need to hear the gospel in a different way. Am I prepared for that? Am I willing to believe the Spirit enough to become all things for all people? I want to see people come to Jesus just from a simple conversation. I want to see people come to Jesus just from reasoning through the gospel. And I want to see people come to Jesus through miracles.

I pray the Holy Spirit would be empowering me this summer and I would believe in the Spirit of Acts. He is the same today as He was back them. He can come with flaming tongues of fire or a gentle moving of the wind. Above all, I pray the Holy Spirit would move through me unhindered this summer, so that I can become all things for all people so to win them to Christ.

A little downcast…

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:5

I’ve found myself worrying a lot lately. Have you ever laid down at night and just thought about everything you should have already gotten done, but haven’t even started yet? It’s been that way for me this week.

God is faithful. But sometimes it’s so easy living in the midst of a broken world to forget His faithfulness. Or rather to only halfheartedly trust in His faithfulness. I continually had to remind myself to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful…” (Hebrews 10:23). I know God will provide all the financial support for this trip. But do I really believe that? Do I have faith? And not did I have faith yesterday, or will I have faith tomorrow. But do I have faith today?

I feel like this is a common struggle for most followers of Christ. However, “The righteous will live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Pray that I would not doubt God’s faithfulness, but rather receive His grace to have faith in Him, His power, and His providence. Pray that I would find strength in His word and find peace in prayer. I desperately need to pray more.

The Beginning of a Journey…

This summer I am going on probably one of the most incredible journey’s of my life. For the first time in my life I will be visiting 5 different countries in a 2-month span of time. It is not only an incredible opportunity to experience the world, but also to share the love of Christ with the nations.

When I look back on my life, I don’t think I’d ever imagine having an opportunity such as Global Journey. In fact, the idea of traveling so many places in such little time is kind of insane. My heart and passion for missions started the summer after my eighth grade year of high school. My youth group went to Sheridan, Wyoming to do evangelism ministry and Vacation Bible School. For the first time, I truly stepped out of the bible belt and into a blantantly lost and dying world. It horrified me. And it changed me. It put a burning desire within my heart to proclaim the name of Jesus to people who had yet to experience his grace.

By the summer after my sophomore year in high school, that small flame had turned in to a wildfire. I surrendered my life to full-time ministry. And my passion was missions. The following summer I went on my first international trip to South Africa and the following summer I went to Malawi, Africa. There is no way to describe my love and passion for the continent of Africa. I hold it near to my heart. It’s where I first embraced other cultures with the love of Jesus.

My freshman year of college brought about a new role in missions. Much larger than just a ten-day trip. The Lord placed me as a student worker in the Global Missions department at Dallas Baptist University. Here I am not only able to engage in missions for myself, but I am able to help other students be mobilized to live a missional lifestyle, despite their respective callings. It has been a great joy and privilege to open my eyes to the world of missions while studying here at DBU.

Last summer, I had a desire to serve overseas. However, the Lord had other plans. I was able to serve with Pine Cove Christian Camps for half of the summer where He taught me so much about Him, ministry, and myself. But, that fire did not leave me. And then I found out about Global Journey. I knew this was the opportunity the Lord had me waiting for.

So here I am. Just an ordinary girl, being used by an incredibly extraordinary God to do ordinary things that could quite possibly make an extraordinary impact on literally the world.