Some ponderings from Chuck

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Therefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power

Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Isaiah 49:4 I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity, yet surely my right is with the Lord and my recompense with my God.

Mulling over these scriptures this morning. Where and who are the Amy Carmichaels', David livinstones', John Calvins', Martin Luthers'? Romans 8:18-39. (you can read yourself)
Does it make sense to leave my beautiful house, a job I love, all the things I have ever wanted and take my beautiful family to a 3rd world country, to be foreigners? Absolutely not! I have felt called to medicine from a very young age. Since I was 3 or 4 years old I knew I wanted to be, "a doctor". I have also felt called to missions in Africa since receiving that call one night at Victory Center Bible Camp. Who will go? I will, send me.... but who does? He didn't ask who is worthy to be called. Certainly I am not. Did it make sense to Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him? Did it make sense to build a boat in a desert? Did it make sense to send a perfect son, through who all things were created, to die the worst imaginable death for a creation that despised and rejected him?

Jan Wall felt called to missions saying, "Lord I will go anywhere, but please don't send me to the Indian Reservation." She ended up in Dupree, SD from Blue Earth, MN ministering to the plains Indians of the Lakota Sioux tribe. Was it worth it??? It was to me. Good News Club touched my life and at 3-4 years old the truth began to work in my heart and mind. Yes, it wasn't an easy life and I am sure there were times when she wanted to quit, to see the people you minister to continue to live lives contrary to scripture.

As John Piper wrote, "The Lord measures the faithfulness of our Labor, not our success." So, whether we see great success in what we do in Africa or if nothing, or no one changes, Isn't it all dependent on God?

So what is my obligation/priority? My family and making sure they are safe and have an ivy league education to pursue the big houses, nice cars, 401k's, or "here am I, send me"....out of obedience to a call. Will God provide? Will He keep us safe? Will He make sure my children have a good education and are well provided for? It really isn't up to me, is it? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Chuck