“Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. … When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
Those verses were read in church on Sunday as part of a sermon about how we’re all called to share the gospel. We have a team of people who take turns speaking and teaching each Sunday and we’ve been studying the verses outlined at Lectionary.com. I like the way each week is different, which, really, kind of makes me laugh. I’m a little Type A, which you know if you’ve been around here for any amount of time.
Anyway, so Speaker Jim outlined three ways to stay mission focused ::
1. Pray and prepare.
2. Actively seek non-believers.
3. Boldly share your testimony.
My first thought? I need to do a better job with this.
My second thought? Well, it was more than one thought, but I found myself thinking about motherhood.
We are all indeed called to share the gospel. As a mom, my mission field is right in front of me. {Tweet that.} It’s sitting at my kitchen table right now was a type – one is doing second-grade homework, the other is snacking and wanting his sister to hurry up and finish her homework.
I often say I want to raise independent kids who know Jesus. But that’s not enough. I can’t assume my kids will know Jesus. I need to led them to him. {Tweet that.}
Yes, we should all share the gospel with neighbors and co-workers and relatives and new friends and old friends and anyone else we meet. Sharing doesn’t mean forcing. But we all have a story. And I believe Jesus’ redemption is the foundation of mine – so why should I keep that good news to myself?
That story – and there are oh-so many chapters – can be shared right here. Right at this table where we gather in the mornings and afternoons and evenings. It’s also not the kind of story I tell one time and then file away as complete.
We spend time with Christian friends, go to church, and read the Bible at home. Our kids attend a private, Christian school that teaches God is the foundation of everything – even math problems.
But I still have to share the gospel with my kids – over and over again. Most people don’t decided to follow Jesus after hearing about him once. Believing is often a process and building faith comes with time.
I’ve been praying about a mission trip to Guatemala Greg, Cate and I are going on in July. I want my heart and mind to be prepared. I want to be able to love on these strangers with a love that comes only from God. This trip is us seeking out how to actively share God’s love – the foundation of our story – with others.
That’s a good thing. I’m praying the trip will allow God’s love seep down so deep in Cate’s heart that she’ll remain changed and be spurred on to share the good news with others. But I can’t become so focused beyond the walls of my house that I neglect to share the gospel to the people closest to me.
I want to show them who Jesus is. I want to show them why Momma needs Jesus too. I want them to know how to seek truth while living in the chaos of this world. I want to stay mission focused so we can all love Jesus more.
Hey, #ThreeWordWednesday friends, I have a couple giveaways happening right now I thought you may be interested in. First of all, my 7-year-old girl wrote her first-ever book review and shared it Monday. Be sure to enter to win a copy of “Rasmus and the Vagabond” by Astrid Lindegren, the creator of Pippi Longstocking. Also, it’s Valentine’s Week, so I wanted to love on my friends with a giveaway of some things I love. Come join in that fun.
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This is so true, Kristin! I didn't do a great job leading my daughter to Christ while she was growing up. We were in and out of churches and I had my own struggles with faith through most of her childhood. Thankfully, she made it anyway :). She is a happy, spiritually healthy, active member of her church today. She actually inspires me to "stay mission focused" these days. I work much harder with my son in this area. My faith is stronger today so I'm able to reflect that for him. I have no doubt you are a beautiful example to your children!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Kristin that you guys are going on a mission trip together! Can't wait to hear more about it when you guys come back. I agree.....keeping that focus and balance of the lives we're impacting right under our roof but at the same time realizing we are still called to reach the community and world around us. You are doing this well.
ReplyDeleteGoing on a mission trip together as a family is on my dream list. I would love to meet our sponsored child that lives in Tanzania. I recently heard a quote, it goes something like this " Why do you hate your neighbors? You have good news that will give them life, yet you keep it to yourself." I guess I never really thought about it in that way of hating my neighbors, more like I don't want to shove my faith down their throats. I try to live out my faith in the decisions I make and how I act.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristin, I love your advice here. It is spot-on. The news of Jesus is to be shared with everyone. We hope to visit our sponsor child one day in Africa. She is such a blessing to us. Thank you for this link up.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it good to know God works despite our imperfections? Of course, without imperfections, we wouldn't need a savior! :) Thanks for your encouragement, Candace! I'm glad you're here.
ReplyDeleteI went back and forth about it for awhile because I wanted all four of us to go, but Ben just isn't old enough. (He's 5 ...) We actually sponsor a child in Guatemala, but I don't think we'll be able to meet her since this isn't a Compassion trip. I thought I'd check into it anyway. I guess we'll just have to go again when Ben is older ... :) Thanks for your kind words, Melody, and for being here.
ReplyDeleteYou can share your story without shoving your faith down their throats, though. Living out your faith is so important. People will see the difference following God makes in your life. I'm glad you're here, Alecia!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim! Sponsoring children is such a blessing to us too. Thanks for being here.
ReplyDelete"But I can’t become so focused beyond the walls of my house that I neglect to share the gospel to the people closest to me." <<< Amen! And I pray for God to help me to continue to share Him, and live a life that reflects Him, with my two boys. So excited for your upcoming trip to Guatemala, Kristin. Love you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou do a beautiful job shining God's light, Beth! Those boys are blessed to have you. Love you, dear friend. xoxo
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I say nearly every time I speak, or spend time with mommas, is " Our children are our mission field." I can't take anything with me to heaven, but friend.. if I make it to the end of my life and my children have not heard and seen the gospel lived in my life, then I will feel like a failure. I know God works in the heart but my goal, my mission is to point the way to Him every single day so that they can always know how to find Him. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat reminders!
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you Kristin for hosting and dropping a note on my blog! I am thrilled. It is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteGod's Blessings to you.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com
You're very welcome!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes. I need that reminder sometimes when I get caught up in the parts of life that don't matter much. Thanks for being here, Dawn!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Kristin. I've been guilty of this in the past - searching for a calling, wanting to impact change in others and looking right passed the little man at my feet. It's such a powerful role we have as parents to point those arrows and shoot our kids toward Christ. They catch so much more than is taught and our example speaks volumes. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteFor me, some days it's hard to remember these little things we do now can make a huge impact down the road. I'm so thankful for God's grace with that too. I'm always glad you're here, Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kirstin. It starts at home.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lyli! I'm glad you're here!
ReplyDelete