An Ancient Work

Each month, the mission organization that is sending me to Tokyo this summer sends out something a Monthly Challenge, or a "MoChal" as they call it. January's MoChal is about accepting that, as a missionary, I am not "starting" the work of God in any person's life (either here or in Tokyo); I am joining into an ancient work that God started long before I even arrived. The second half of the MoChal is reflecting on the ancient work God put into place to lead me to Himself.

The verses they give include the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40), and the story of Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1-11:18). When I read these chapters, I was struck by the thought of how crucial it is to follow God's directions as quickly and thoroughly as possible. What if Peter hadn't accepted the vision's message, and insisted that all Gentiles were unclean? What if he hadn't gone to Cornelius' house? Cornelius and his family (who sound like they were all devout, practicing believers) might have never heard the Good News, and the Jews who protested Peter going inside Cornelius' house might have never had their hearts softened to sharing the gospel with Gentiles. All that could have happened (or could have not happened) if Peter had chosen to disobey.

God gave me an insight recently, and it was this:

When you talk with someone about Christ, you have no idea what your role in their life is going to be. You could be the one who plants the seed (tells them the basics), or the one who waters it (explains the details and answers their questions), or the one who harvests the plant (actually praying with them), or the one who processes the plant (guiding them as they begin their walk with Jesus). You really don't know where God is sending you in, but you must be content with the role you have been called to play.

So many Christians seem go straight for the "harvest" part, and in doing so they act in a way that seems unloving and insensitive to the person they are speaking to. It is far less destructive and far more constructive to take the time to listen to what a person is saying and asking about Jesus, and to try to figure out what your role in that person's life will be at that moment. Let the Holy Spirit guide you, and accept His direction and His words. Do not hinder the ancient work God began in that person by acting like you know exactly what needs to be said. Humble yourself and accept your role in the work He started in that person a long time ago, and be confident that He will continue that work even after you're gone.

As for the second half of the MoChal, I don't know how thoroughly I can do that right now (I'm a little pressed for time), so it might need to wait for another time, when I can lay out the details and marvel at the awesome journey that has led me to the point I'm currently at. I can already tell it's going to impress me :).