The Result - believing the bible
As a child my mother instilled in me a belief that the bible was literally Gods word. It was to be treasured and taken seriously.
Nothing I have encountered in my adult life has changed that belief, so I take what Jesus tells us to do quite seriously. I can only assume my sister Jana has a similar story.
Jana’s plan
It wasn’t a big surprise when my sister announced she is planning to travel to the middle-east to nurse and share Gods love, in a hostile environment. But it does bring up some questions and concerns, all of which boil down to the key question; Is she going to be safe? (or conversely, will she be beheaded?)
The person most distressed about this possibility is mum (although to be fair we haven’t mentioned it to Grandma yet). Our mum wants her children to be safe, while at the same time living out their lives in obedience to Christ. But for Jana I’m not sure those two things can exist simultaneously.
While I am deeply sympathetic to my mother’s anxiety, I do in some ways feel she only has herself to blame. She set the example really.
Mum’s mission
In 2004 mum decided to do something to help orphans and abandoned children in terrible situations. Contacting the Mission Without Borders staff she asked who were the most in need, and was told the children in Moldova were the most needy.
So she started a fundraising effort (involving local Nelsonians making and selling truffles) which is now a yearly event on the family calendar.
So can she really blame Jana when she too asked, “who are the most needy”?
Reaching out
Last Sunday John and Mary Elliot from World Outreach came and spoke at church about the least reached people groups and the work God is calling people to do in these areas.
It was fascinating and once again reminded me that the bible is pretty specific about what Jesus calls us to do.
My Journey
Once when I was young, I was having a philosophical discussion with mum about what mattered most in life and I came to the realisation that it was bringing people to Jesus that really mattered.
Later I became despondent knowing I would have to let go of my desire for money and nice things (which was strong, even at a very young age) and chose to follow God where ever he led.
I was deeply concerned he might want me to be a missionary, to the most uncivilised part of Africa, which I wasn’t keen on.
Now at the ripe old age of 30 I am again feeling that knowledge that I must learn to let go of my desires, and start choosing to follow God wherever he leads, even if it is Africa; which I really hope it’s not.
I’ll keep you updated.
KG
ps- Pic is of Jana and Elise rolling truffles
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