Praising Through Pain

I have noticed when I bring up the subject of personal discomfort or pain due to injury, illness or condition, people are very quick to offer suggestions of what I can (or should!) do.  Their input is vast and varied according to their own experience.  Remedies, treatments, exercises, physical therapists, specialists and diets only begin to summarise the array of options presented to reduce present pain and promote healing.   If we or others are in pain, our first response is to do whatever we can to reduce or eliminate it.

While I believe the Bible teaches it is God's will to heal every illness (since Jesus healed all those who came to Him, thus revealing His power over all sin, sickness and spirit), we must leave the timing of our healing to Him.  God allows things that are not His will to occur on earth (like death) and by His grace He redeems pain or the ending of it.  Some are miraculously healed in a moment, and others will not experience freedom from pain until they are given a new body in the eternal state.  I do not fault anyone for seeking to treat conditions or reduce the pain they experience.  Even in pain, however, there is a place of rest knowing God is God and allows pain for His good purposes.

Over the years I have picked up some arthritis in my fingers.  In severe cases surgery is an option, but the outcomes often leave much to be desired.  Sometimes it can be better to manage the pain and stiffness of fingers and joints rather than try to replace God-given joints with synthetic ones.  What this means for me is the reality of living with present pain that will continue for the duration of my life on earth.  I can choose to receive the pain in my fingers as a gift from God, a physical and constant reminder of His presence and power for good.  God gave me these hands, and He has the right to utilise them in any way He wants--even if it hurts.  Since I know this to be true and trust Him, I can feel pain and say with confidence:  "This hurts.  But I am fine with it and am thankful."

There can be pain we may never be able to embrace or be "fine" with.  That is understandable.  At the same time we can look beyond pain that is excruciating to Jesus Christ, crucified for our sakes for the joy set before Him.  A woman who gives birth to a child encounters unspeakable pain, yet through the traumatic experience a new person is miraculously born into the world.  Christians have been adopted by God through Christ's suffering, and God will see to it eternal glory will be borne out of ours.  As followers of Jesus there is a glorious present and future determined for us according to God's grace despite pain.  I have lived my life seeking to avoid pain, and it feels great to be divinely enabled to embrace it in surrender to my Creator by faith in Him.

Someday pain will be a thing of the past.  Revelation 21:3-4 reads, "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  We can only imagine a life and world without pain because we still experience it.  One day pain will be accounted as a former thing, something that will not be remembered nor come into mind.  Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Having an eternal perspective helps us navigate pain and affliction in a profitable way.  Since we surrendered our lives to Jesus, let us surrender our pains as well.  When I complain about my pain may the LORD remind me to praise Him instead, for He is able use our pains to achieve for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

The Pinnacle of Ministry

In some Christian circles, the teaching ministry of a pastor is seen as the most important role God gives people.  I do not believe this is true.  This view has unfortunately led to many preachers being elevated in the eyes of people within the church who can also aspire to be "up front" rather than being content to improve their service unto the LORD in their current situation.  The apostle Paul did not preach himself but Christ crucified and did not desire notoriety for himself.  In the minds of some people the opposite was true, for they criticised his manner of speaking lame and found his physical presence weak.  His detractors claimed Paul's letters were much more inspiring than seeing him speak in person.  Certainly they believed others were better suited for the teaching role--and maybe they thought they could do better.

While the teaching ministry of the church is critical and invaluable, there are countless other roles in the Body of Christ the church that are just as vital.  1 Corinthians 12:27-31 says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way."  God appoints people in the church to serve in a variety of ways as they use the gifts He provides by His grace.  Paul went on to say walking in love towards God and others is the highest calling in the church, and in every role or gifting God gives provides, the love of Jesus ought to mark us.  Since people will know we are Christians by our love for one another, Christ's love through us can lead others to salvation by faith in Him.

There are genuine believers in the church who will never teach a Bible study or preach a sermon.  That is perfectly sensible, even as a nose cannot walk or a hand cannot digest food.  It would be a grave error to imagine a preaching or teaching ministry is the pinnacle of Christian service when Jesus is the Head of the Church Who humbled Himself, washed feet, and gave His life for others.  It is far more profitable to have the mind that whatever God gives or gifts you to do, use it with all your might for His glory.  It may be God has given you skill in administration or helps:  put your hand to the plough in practicing and refining your ability doing what God has gifted and enabled you to do rather than thinking you must go to seminary to be a better Christian.  If God has given you a spouse or children, you are called to teach them by the manner of your life, from the scripture, with your mouth and by faithfulness to love as Jesus loves you.  The pinnacle of ministry is to love like Jesus.

The opportunities outside the church are just as important as service within the church as Christians are led by God to share His love everywhere they go.  Practical service is a powerful testimony of God's love to people whether they know Jesus or not.  Lending a tool, offering a lift, giving a financial gift, helping someone struggling to walk up stairs or listening to someone who is emotionally troubled are just a handful of ways we can give of our time and resources to minister to others in God's love--regardless if you have a paid position in a church fellowship or not.  No one is hindered in fruitfulness to the LORD because they are not currently serving in a formal teaching role.  Let the love of Jesus and the light of the Gospel shine through our lives in all we do whether we sing or speak up front, are on the sound team streaming the service, or if we follow along in our Bibles and take notes.  God orchestrates more opportunities than we can imagine to serve the LORD when we are willing and obedient to follow Him.

Grate Expectations

Ultimately God is the One who prepares and sustains people in ministry whether locally or abroad.  There are unique challenges faced by those who are led to serve in a foreign field.  Recognising and preparing for these changes will aid you immensely in overcoming all by God's grace.  When shrubs or trees are transplanted they can experience shock, and moving a family across the ocean can be shocking as well.  But the glorious truth is Christ is the best husbandman, and the fruitful tree He prunes so it might bear more fruit.

I never aspired to foreign ministry, but it is something God has called me to embrace.  Answering the call has been rewarding beyond belief.  Such aspirations will eventually end up disillusioning and burdensome when of the flesh.  Travel and living abroad has a romantic appeal to some, like a boy who becomes temporarily infatuated with a girl.  But those for whom God has opened a door no man can shut to a foreign field, having confirmed His call upon your life through His Word and others, here are a few things to keep in mind which can prepare you to stay the course with joy.  Expect things to occur which will grate on you, but this is a necessary part of the refining process God employs to make us useable.  This is obviously not a exhaustive list, but these are lessons my family and I have learned along the way.

• Understand you need to change.  Moving internationally means transitioning into a new culture with a different mind-set and world view.  It is insensitive and foolish to be endlessly comparing and contrasting with your original background.  Quit comparing and learn to be content.  You need to be willing to adapt concerning language and communication style, eat different or unfamiliar foods, watch or play different sports - without trying to force people to change to accommodate you!  You are the foreigner, and you must be willing to change every aspect of your life to minister effectively where God has placed you.
• Be prepared for silence.  Just because your life has been radically changed with an international move, life for everyone else is very much the same.  If you expect hundreds of email replies to your newsletter, you will be disappointed.  If you expect phone calls from friends and family or even the people with whom you are connected in the foreign field, you may be waiting a while!  Life goes on, and only Jesus is available to speak anytime - even without needing a good internet connection.
• Get used to being wrong.  Be prepared to say the wrong thing the wrong way at the wrong time.  Humbly admit mistakes when you make them, and do your best to improve.  Be willing to have a hearty laugh at your own expense.  No sense in becoming angry over missing a turn because you were driving in the wrong lane.  Accept you are imperfect and welcome correction as a loving friend and gratefully accept those who seem to rejoice to instruct you. 
• Get used to needing to prove yourself again and again.  It can be hard going from having a reputation as the "real deal" in your home country to being an untested unknown - and sometimes unwanted - in a foreign field.  Respect is earned over time, not obtained by virtue of your position or sacrifice.  Being a foreigner in Australia, whenever my circle enlarges I need to prove myself again.  Even becoming a dual citizen, my accent for the remainder of my life will expose me as an outsider.  It is following Jesus with patience, humility, and faithfulness over the long haul which brings credibility.  It can be exhausting to perpetually be on trial, but God provides all the strength we need.
• You need to to take the initiative.  Don't expect to be automatically included because you are new.  Take time to make friends outside of ministry.  Ask people about where they do their shopping and ask them to help you buy clothes.  Involve yourself in volunteering with charities or at your children's school, connect with other parents through sports, and invite others out for coffee or dinner.  Go up to people at church and join in with their conversation.  Unless you take personal steps to enlarge your circle, it will remain painfully tight.
• Transition will take time.  Be prepared for this to take many years, not months.  When I trimmed a lemon tree, it remained without much growth or lemons for an entire year.  A year later, however, the same tree produced a massive harvest.  Establishing a family in a foreign country takes a long time.  Things will not be "normal" for years.  At every turn there can be constant reminders you are a stranger in a foreign land.  Take time to ensure your immediate family is well settled before spreading yourself thin with ministry responsibilities.  The house should be built before the shed, or otherwise we leave our family in the cold while we toil away on our projects.

Hopefully these lessons are useful as you are obedient to go and serve the LORD and people wherever He sends you.  With God all things are possible.  All the mental preparation in the world is nothing compared to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and guidance from God's Word.  The LORD spoke in Joshua 1:7-9, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

God, Money, and Faith

When Jesus sent out His disciples into the harvest, He told them not to bring any supplies.  In doing so, He was teaching them to walk by faith in God.  Even as God provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness and the birds of the air, He would supply their every need.  Before Jesus went to the cross Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 22:35-36:  "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." ³⁶ Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."  There is nothing wrong with wisely preparing as we follow Christ on our journey wherever He leads.  Often the securing of financial pledges or support is a means of missionaries and ministries discerning the legitimacy of a call upon a  prospective missionary before leaving for a field.  But let me say this:  fundraising in the modern sense carries with it the risk of walking by sight and not by faith.  People love the testimony of George Mueller's faith demonstrated through prayer and wisdom concerning money.  There aren't many George Muellers today because God isn't provided the opportunity to come through at the last moment.  Most want to have the support up, accounts looking healthy, and a great exchange rate forecast before they will take the first step of faith.  What sort of faith is that?

One of the sticking points for many people when it comes to missions is, "But who is going to pay for this?  How can we afford it?"  One missionary support ministry I met with required for any missionaries who sought to enter a mission field secure 80% of their monthly financial support before they were permitted to enter the field.  Money can become for people today (missionaries or not) a focal point instead of the God who has promised to provide.  Everyone in the early church contributed to the financial strength of the church, some selling everything they had.  They weren't caught up in mutual funds and Roth IRAs.  Some like Paul, who laboured long in a vast mission field, worked with his own hands to support himself.  Collections were received from house churches on a weekly basis to bless and help other churches.  Perhaps because we live in a world of insurance, schools, visas, airplane tickets, and retirement funds, money concerns seem to have risen in importance.  I like the picture of Peter being directed by Jesus to catch a fish to pay the temple tax in Matthew 17:27.  Jesus said, "After you throw in the hook and catch the fish, it will have a coin in its mouth.  Take the coin and pay the tax, lest we offend them."  Jesus didn't have the money on hand for the temple tax, but He miraculously provided it.  He will do the same for us if we will seek, trust, and obey Him no matter where we find ourselves.

I struggle with the concept of "fundraising."  Perhaps that sounds ironic, coming from a missionary pastor who receives money each month by God's grace and the generosity of churches, family, and friends.  Just the idea makes me uncomfortable.  Before I left for the field in Australia, before I knew where or when I would be going, I was connected with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators.  We let people know there was a need through our church with a flier, and if God moved them to give they could support our ministry through sending money to Shepherd's Staff, who provided accountability and would send the money once a month when we were in the field.  Truth be told, I don't fundraise - though I am not against it.  When I was youth pastor, we used to raise money for kids to go to camp who worked car washes, pancake breakfasts, and spaghetti dinners.  I feel most awkward when it comes to raising funds for myself.  I don't want to pressure people to buy something to support me or play upon any obligation they may feel to give when they really don't want to.  What is amazing is there have been people God directed in unique ways to raise funds on our behalf.  Instead of sending out letters asking people to give, I pray that God would faithful provide according to His promise and He keeps moving people to do so.  I don't ask for money, but God moves people to give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let me brag on my God a little bit.  God has always met our needs, and He has used many people to do it.  I remember times when work was slow and odd jobs would come up.  When I first came on staff at a church and took a 45% cut in pay in 2005, there was a real potential we would need to sell our house.  I had already committed to go on an Israel trip when a friend of mine out of the blue gave me a check for $1,000.  I hadn't told anyone but God of our financial needs.  During that season whilst in paid ministry, God provided borders who hired a room and we were able to keep the house until we sold it and moved to Australia.  God's provision has continued to this day.  For over two and a half years, I was prohibited from working for pay in Australia.  That's a bit crazy, seeing as Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire world!  The amount received from Shepherd's Staff would rise and fall at the perfect times.  When I visited the States this June, before I arrived God put it on someone's heart to put money in an envelope - not knowing that my ATM card had expired!  That money covered my incidentals for the trip.  God moved family and friends to give money during my two week stay without me even asking.  Last night I praised the LORD for dear friends who gave us money specifically for the purchase of tablets for the boy's school which will be required soon.  When the money received during the trip was added up, we had enough for the expense of the tablets and cases.  God is awesome!

The other day I read in Joshua 5:10-12:  "Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. ¹¹ And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. ¹² Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year."  God knew exactly the needs of His people.  He provided manna for His people for 40 years, a steady, predictable supply of heavenly bread.  But when He brought His people into the Land of Promise and they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.  I'm sure at times the people lamented the loss of the manna, even as they missed the familiar food of Egypt.  The LORD used this passage to remind me that when He provides a job for Laura or myself outside of the church, it will be time to trust God in thanking people for their generosity and encouraging them to give to others as the Holy Spirit leads.  He's the One who has supplied all our needs, and He will ever be faithful to do so.

Don't allow money to ever become a focal point of your ministry or service unto God.  God knows we need money, housing, clothing, and transport, and He will supply our needs.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  I want to thank every single person who has offered up prayers on our behalf and has given money to support our family and the ministry in Australia.  You have provided us a glittering testimony of the faithfulness of our God and the generosity of His people.  My God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  It is a humbling and amazing thing to be a recipient of God's goodness and grace through you.  May God reward you according to the riches of His grace.

Burn the Boats

When I sensed the call of God to move to Australia, I didn't have a calendar with times and dates filled in.  There was no doubt about the call, but I had no clue about how or when it would happen.  I didn't know where our family would be going.  I didn't know how long the process would take.  I didn't know how long God would allow us to live in Australia.  The only thing I knew was that God had called me and my family to go.  Our part was to obey God by going through the open door He would sovereignly reveal to us in His time.

The process ended up taking many years.  During that process, my wife Laura and I had discussed and were in agreement of one thing:  we would burn the boats.  While there is apparently debate concerning the origin of this idiom - whether it best describes the approach of the Romans, conquistador Cortez, or someone else - there is little debate of the meaning.  It means the point of no return has been reached.  There would be no retreat for the band of men who traveled by boat to the land of their enemies.  The boats were burned to prevent anyone from using the boats as a means of escape should things prove difficult.  In poker terminology, it means you are "all in."  The entire chip stack has been pushed to the middle of the table and nothing has been left in reserve.

Our family has deep roots in San Diego.  All of my family lives within miles of each other and Laura's did too.  For us, burning the boats meant selling our house.  Should we have continued to rent out the house, there would have remained a potential home for us to return to if things became hard.  God's directive to Abram in Genesis 12:1 hit home:  "Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."  It was not without the promise Jesus gives in Mark 10:29-30:  "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, ³⁰ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life."  We needed God to move our hearts for Australia long before our feet touched Australian soil.  Selling our house was a big Ebenezer for us.  The miraculous way God ordained the sale only confirmed we were walking in obedience to His will.

When the children of Israel were taken to a foreign land, God told them to settle down, build houses, and plant vineyards.  They were to put their roots deep where He placed them - even against their will.  They didn't want to be in Babylon!  They wanted to be in the land God had given their fathers by lot.  They were to labour to be fruitful in the place God had established them.  Whether you are in the mission field or chomping at the bit to go, put down your roots where God has you now.  Jeremiah 29:5-7 says, "Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. ⁶ Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished. ⁷ And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace." God had an expected end for His people, one which He would be faithful to accomplish in due time.  You can be sure He will do so for you as well.

Is it wrong for a missionary to rent out their home while they are on the mission field?  Absolutely not!  But for us it was an act of faith that we believed God would establish our family in Australia, even as He had been faithful to do in San Diego.  Should we have kept the house, it would have signaled our lack of faith in God's provision.  It would have provided temptation to return when we faced persecutions or trials.  In no way do I condone being caviler or reckless, testing God to conform to our short-sighted will.  We are called to be good stewards of God's gifts. But if God tells us to sell in a buyer's market we should do it - even if holding onto a house may make it more valuable in the future.  Is God's hand shortened He cannot provide?  If we hold onto our old life, we will not be able to enter into the new one God has prepared for us.  We do not need a "fall-back plan" or a pathetic safety net when God is our true foundation and support.

Do you find yourself looking back, thinking about the returning to that sea-worthy boat left on the beach so you might head back to what is familiar?  This principle can be applied to far more than just houses but careers, employers, and countless other things which tempt us away from walking in faith.  The man who puts his hand to the plow and looks back cannot plow straight.  Our call is to be as Paul who forgot the things which were behind and was pressing forward to the finish line!  As long as we have a contingency strategy, we are hindered in advancing where God has us now.  It is time to burn those boats and push all in!  In the same way we are called to leave all behind to follow Christ, so we must answer the call to step out in faith concerning our calling.  God will be faithful to His promise.

God Knows: Trudge On!

This morning I read in Deuteronomy 2:7, "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing."  The passage resonated in me, reminding me of my own calling and slow unfolding of God's plan for our family to immigrate and serve Him in Australia.

From a human perspective, God's seems to employ painstakingly slow, inefficient means to accomplish His purposes.  In farming, the cultivation and preparation of the soul takes much longer than the actual planting.  The breaking up of sun-scorched clods and amending the soil is far greater work than the scattering of seed!  When the call to Australia came to me, my whole outlook was affected with excitement and expectation.  I did not know when, how, or where God would establish us.  I did not know the shape of the ministry He intended me to do.  All I knew was, "You will preach, and you will be sent."  I knew God had called me to be a pastor, but how it would come about was completely unknown.

The great challenge after the call was to maintain focus upon the LORD and where He had me at that current time.  The temptation was to focus on the unknowns which loomed like iron gates.  Expending time and effort trying to figure out how and when God would fulfill His Word to me proved to be a useless waste of time.  God reminded me of Yoda's rebuke of Luke Skywalker in "Empire Strikes Back."  Having no experience, never having trained, Luke was ready to take on the whole Empire himself.  Yoda shot back:  "Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing."

As a missionary in a foreign field, you must learn first at home to faithfully "suit up and show up."  How you handle the little things is an indication of how you handle bigger things.  We can foolishly think, "Well, if I was in the field I would spend more time in prayer" or "I will be more faithful when my responsibilities increase."  Stop kidding yourself.  Jesus says in Luke 16:10-12:  "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. ¹¹ Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?¹² And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?"  If you cannot be faithful to take care of something as simple as brushing your teeth daily, showing up on time every day at work, or reading the books you borrowed, how do you expect to progress spiritually?  Does God reward sloppy servants with greater responsibility?  In the grand scope of things, being prompt or brushing your teeth are very little things - but our faithfulness with the little things is a sight-glass with a view into our heart, character, and priorities.  Those who are faithful in least are faithful also in much.

The children of Israel expected to be ushered into the Promised Land without a struggle.  Had they known they would have entered the land of Canaan after 40 years of trudging through the desert, many of them would have refused to leave Egypt!  But God is looking for faithful servants who stare at 40 years in the face like nothing, set their face like a flint, and stay faithful like Caleb and Joshua - without grumbling, arrogance, or pride.  These are the men who will enter in, overcome, and be established in the land God prepared them for.  In those 40 years, God purged and refined His people.  He conditioned them to become completely dependent upon Him.  During the years of waiting and trudging, God is preparing you and the field where He is sending you.  Trudging on is not drudgery when God is with you, leading you to His expected end!

Though we are often in a hurry, God is not.  He will be true to His Word, for He is faithful.  Even when you face obstacles, detours, and apparent setbacks, God's plans are pushing forward with unstoppable force.  You will be ready when God says you are.  Set the alarm, pray, read, seek, and brush those teeth!  Be faithful in little, and God will entrust more to you according to His grace.