As I near the end of my internship, and look forward to my last year in college, I have finally begun thinking - what do I want to do? I enjoy the design process of engineering, and solving problems in a unique way. I'm pretty sure I'll go into some field of electrical engineering when I get out of college, but where? and doing what? - only God knows. That's what I trust. God knows where He wants to put me and when. It's my responsibility to search for that and follow Him the best I can. If my heart's in the right place, he'll make sure I don't miss his calling.
I can't help but wonder, what happens after that? I don't think I'll be happy being an electrical engineer my whole life. I may be called to ministry. That may sound cliche, but when the Holy Spirit prompts me to do something, i won't ignore it. Besides, I kind of want to preach and shepherd. Not for power or money like some people, but because God has given me a burden for people many Christians have cast away. I love to relate to people and converse about all sorts of things. I believe God will use the gifts he's given me for His purposes. Anyways, life is an adventure, and I can't wait to see what God has in store!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friendship Forever
Is it just me? Since I can remember, I've always wanted to be friends with just about everybody. I place so much value in my friends that I often sacrifice sleep and relaxation for the chance to spend one-on-one time with people, no matter how good of friends we are. In fact, I will usually sacrifice more for people i don't know very well because I want so badly to get to know 'em. I realized a long time ago that I'm a special case. Generally speaking, most people are concerned only about themselves. "Does it work out with my schedule?" "My ninth hour of sleep is more important." "We're not really good friends." "I have more important things to do, like watch tv."
I want so much to impact the lives of people around me, bringing the joy of Christ and the laughter of friendship into everybody's life. A lot of people are way too high strung. Every minute of the day has to be spent getting something done, accomplishing goals, or furthering whatever desire they have. where does that leave you though? Ten years from now, will it make a difference if you went to the store right now, or got that one homework assignment done, or picked up that extra shift at work? I know these seem like huge cares in many people's lives, but for many, its just because they're greedy or proud.
What really matters, is people. Jesus came for one purpose, to save the lost! His whole ministry was spent loving others, not getting money; teaching his disciples, not solving the world's problems. In fact, I believe the world's problems will be solved - not by human efforts - but by a total change in priorities. When people's hearts go from doing tasks to loving God and loving people, I think the tasks will naturally get done. And if they don't, at least we can be a witness to people about Christ. should we help the helpless and needy? Of course! But do it in love, not our of obligation or with a sense of pride.
Finally, I have this to say. I still think about so many of my friends who have been in my life and are no longer. I know some people have no problem assigning them to "that season in my life." But I can't do that; I want to stay friends. When I try to write people off like that, I find myself continually going back and asking myself, "Could I have kept being their friend, and what would've possibly changed if I had?"
- Austin in Seattle
I want so much to impact the lives of people around me, bringing the joy of Christ and the laughter of friendship into everybody's life. A lot of people are way too high strung. Every minute of the day has to be spent getting something done, accomplishing goals, or furthering whatever desire they have. where does that leave you though? Ten years from now, will it make a difference if you went to the store right now, or got that one homework assignment done, or picked up that extra shift at work? I know these seem like huge cares in many people's lives, but for many, its just because they're greedy or proud.
What really matters, is people. Jesus came for one purpose, to save the lost! His whole ministry was spent loving others, not getting money; teaching his disciples, not solving the world's problems. In fact, I believe the world's problems will be solved - not by human efforts - but by a total change in priorities. When people's hearts go from doing tasks to loving God and loving people, I think the tasks will naturally get done. And if they don't, at least we can be a witness to people about Christ. should we help the helpless and needy? Of course! But do it in love, not our of obligation or with a sense of pride.
Finally, I have this to say. I still think about so many of my friends who have been in my life and are no longer. I know some people have no problem assigning them to "that season in my life." But I can't do that; I want to stay friends. When I try to write people off like that, I find myself continually going back and asking myself, "Could I have kept being their friend, and what would've possibly changed if I had?"
- Austin in Seattle
Missions for the People
Last night I attended my church in Seattle. Our senior pastor brought in a fellow who has been leading short-term missions trips all around the world. For 20 minutes he encouraged us to join him on his short term trips, convincing us with all enthusiasm how spectacular they are. how much we'll grow and how we can change the world, gain new perspective on the world, grow in God, etc. I've been fed the importance of short-term missions trips since I was in junior high.
Last night, one of my friends brought this up in casual conversation and expressed a viewpoint completely opposite and contradictory. Throughout this pastor's "sales pitch" for cookie cutter missions, she was becoming more and more enraged - well, maybe I shouldn't say enraged - she became very agitated and offended at what this pastor was trying to sell. God has given her a heart to bridge the gap between cultures through relationships and culture identification and so forth. She's entirely convinced this can't be pulled off in 10 days, and I agree with her. What really is the effect of a 10-day missions trip to S. Africa? Often times, the people who went to bless come back blessed themselves, but what actually happened to that culture? The group went down, performed a few dramas and handed out a few pamphlets or books, but did they change anyone's life? did they plant a church? did they raise up a leader. Of course not, they were only there for 10 days.
So what should we do? Perhaps there should be a call to long-term missions. Perhaps we should lay a hold of sending people to build churches and build leaders. Think about the culture into which we are going. How do they see us? My friend said short-term missions to her is like going to a people and spitting the gospel at them. I happen to think she's not too far off.
What should the church's response be to this? What's YOUR response? Is there a place for short-term missions or should we try to move away from them entirely?
Last night, one of my friends brought this up in casual conversation and expressed a viewpoint completely opposite and contradictory. Throughout this pastor's "sales pitch" for cookie cutter missions, she was becoming more and more enraged - well, maybe I shouldn't say enraged - she became very agitated and offended at what this pastor was trying to sell. God has given her a heart to bridge the gap between cultures through relationships and culture identification and so forth. She's entirely convinced this can't be pulled off in 10 days, and I agree with her. What really is the effect of a 10-day missions trip to S. Africa? Often times, the people who went to bless come back blessed themselves, but what actually happened to that culture? The group went down, performed a few dramas and handed out a few pamphlets or books, but did they change anyone's life? did they plant a church? did they raise up a leader. Of course not, they were only there for 10 days.
So what should we do? Perhaps there should be a call to long-term missions. Perhaps we should lay a hold of sending people to build churches and build leaders. Think about the culture into which we are going. How do they see us? My friend said short-term missions to her is like going to a people and spitting the gospel at them. I happen to think she's not too far off.
What should the church's response be to this? What's YOUR response? Is there a place for short-term missions or should we try to move away from them entirely?
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