People often ask me when I first discovered my heart for missions. I used to reply that it was back in the seventh grade. My vice principal's daughter in law had adopted a little orphan girl from China. When I first laid eyes on her, my heart broke. In her eyes I saw abandonment, confusion, and fear. I used to think that was the moment when God called me overseas. That that was the moment in which He said to me, "One day, I want you to leave your life behind to love children such as this one." But I realize now that to be moved by compassion is not the same as being called to missions, although compassion is essential in missions. No, I first heard the call just last week-- December 27, 2009. I can't remember what song we were singing, but I remember it being a joyful song. My soul leapt, but my heart broke. I thought of the billions that had never experienced such joy and never would. I thought of the children dying everyday, without ever knowing that there is hope for them, enough for this life and the next. I thought of all the orphans that would never know they have a heavenly Father that longs for a relationship with them. And it was then that I understood what John Piper when he wrote, "Missions exists because worship doesn't." It's not about feeling sorry for people and trying to help fix their problems. It's not about trying to be the person that tries to fill the hole in their lives, but about pointing them to the only One that is able to not only fill that hole, but pour into them until they are overflowing with joy, hope, and love.
"Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life"- John 4.13-14
Old entries:
part one: worship
part two: in Christ alone
No comments:
Post a Comment