Short Terms over the Long Haul

(Retired CCCC pastor Ted Bradshaw, writes today: “Since 1993 I have gone on two- to six-week trips to Slovakia, Pakistan, Micronesia (3X), Philippines, Russia and Bulgaria.
“It is challenging and rewarding. It is fun and hard. The people you serve are heart-warmingly grateful for your ministry. It puts you in closer and more continuous touch with our Savior, depending a lot on Him. The money comes for those called. Never let the price tag hinder you from what God wants you to do!”)

Anyone Can

Every time I read Isaiah’s description of his vision of the Most High God in chapter six I am moved. First I am moved by the love of God that cleanses Isaiah of his sin, and, by reference, me of my sin. And then I am moved by Isaiah’s response, “Here am I; send me.”

For years, while moved, I thought it didn’t refer to me, because I’m not an evangelist. Jesus and I settled that early in my Christian life. He gifted me as a pastor. Others are evangelists. Their direct witness is instrumental in saving people. After people are saved I build them up as believers. The mission field never appealed to me.
The Holy Spirit has given me a desire to serve God. Every once in a while I’d get edgy, “I’m not really serving God in life-changing ways (mine or others).” So I would begin again to search for a full-time Christian work.

“Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.” Author unknown

I found that each time I sang that song I’d have a sense of urgency to do what I’m singing. People have said to me, “You oughtta be a missionary.” I pooh-poohed it as not for me. Instead I continued to look for full-time Christian employment.

Last spring, International Teams offered me the opportunity to go to Slovakia in Central Europe for a six-week mission tour. The Lord confirmed it and I went. It was a marvelous and growing experience. I witnessed the progressive and sudden work of the Holy Spirit transforming people’s lives, using our team to minister to them.

I had my opportunity. I spent all the money I could afford. If I was to take another mission trip, God had to do it. Back only a few weeks, I was asked to join the Sharing Of Missions Abroad team going to Pakistan. God is confirming that He is in charge by providing money.

No motivation, no money, these are not barriers to what God wants to do to bless us. Because He created us, He knows our needs. Because He knows the future, He knows how to bring fulfillment and blessing into our lives. The only barrier to God is “I won’t.”

All He seeks from us is our compliance. When we say, “Lord, use me,” He takes the bit in His teeth and runs away with our lives. Yes, it can be scary, but it needn’t be. As C.S. Lewis said in his Narnia series, “Aslan [a Christ figure] is not a tame lion.” Neither is He a wild lion. He will take us where we never thought of going faster than we ever thought of getting there, and he will keep us along the way. He will take us for an agonizingly long time, through seven layers of hell perhaps, but the operational word is “through.” We arrive on the other side not smelling of smoke, but the fragrance of accomplishment.

In my youth I considered saints as people long ago that were especially holy and had some supernatural gift. When I was saved I learned that all Christians are saints. As I mature in the faith, I am learning that all Christians are especially holy and have supernatural gifts. Thus anyone can serve the Lord. Anyone can evangelize. Anyone can pray, or preach, or teach. God created us, through the shed blood of Christ, a royal priesthood. Every Christian has the authority of royalty and the intercessory power of priests.

What do you desire?

Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to work in and for you. You can do it!
Your Heavenly Father has placed all His resources at your disposal. You can do it!
He challenges you to submit and say with Isaiah, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”
And you know what? You can do it!