Yesterday, Pastor B shared a word in his series iserve that simply stated said "Church isn't about you anymore." This really wasn't a new concept for me since God dealt with me a few years ago over not moving to Arizona. If you want to read more about that go here. Having said that, I thought he did an amazing job at presenting the concept of it being about "the others" that we are to be concerned about by using the Russian nesting dolls and it made me think back on my life...to one person in particular. We will call her Jill for the sake of this conversation.
I met Jill at church when she rededicated her life to the Lord. I was asked to disciple her once a week for something like 12 weeks. Every week I would go meet her and listen, go through the Bible study and think "This isn't making any difference. Really why am I doing this? I don't think she really cares anyway!" But I went, full of doubt and unbelief, but I went. I watched Jill over the next couple of years involved in our college ministry, still I had doubts as to whether she was really sold out or not. I put on a good front, at least I tried. I hope she didn't know how much I doubted that she was really sincere. Don't get me wrong, I prayed for her, I loved her dearly but I doubted whether it would stick.
Today she is on the mission field in a place where she can't even proclaim to be a christian. She has devoted her life to the work of God at the risk of it costing her her life. I'm glad God wasn't swayed by my unbelief, but that should be proof enough that you never know what "the others" will look like and what kind of role you might play in their lives.
Monday, June 02, 2008
It's not about us!
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4 comments:
This blog is significant to me because I am currently in almost the same exact situation with a lady that comes to our small group. Through your words I realized that putting on a good face in front of her, pretending like I believe she is serious about changing her life is exactly what I'm doing. My heart doesn't match the words that I've been giving her. I've been spending hours upon hours counseling her and creating relationship with her, all the while believing deep in my heart that she's not really serious about this. She'll never last. Her past proves that she never sticks with positive change why would she now?
You know, maybe if my faith wasn't so small she would actually do it this time. Maybe if I believe God was the God that He says he is and stop looking at her through Rachel's eyes things would be different. I'm going to change my perspective on her, and hopefully be able to make a bigger and more effective impact in her life.
Thank you.
That's awesome Rachel. I'll be praying for God to help you. Here's my one thought that God has been dealing with me on, even if she doesn't make it, that's not what we are judged on, what we are responsible for is our response to God's call on our life - did we put our all into whatever he's called us to do?
I will add one more part to this conversation. We don't save anyone.... That is God's job. It just so happens that He uses us as a part of the process. Since He saved them, shouldn't He be well able to keep 'em?
As always... I'm just saying?
Thanks Johnny and Helen for the reminders. I can't wait to see you guys this weekend. You always encourage me. It is very good to serve with your family.
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