The Final Stretch
As I type this, our squad officially has 20 days before we begin our final trek home. That means for those of you looking forward to my return that it’s right around the corner. And trust me, I’m excited but I’m doing my best to keep it contained so as to not let it pull me away from the purpose of why I’ve been brought here.
Recently for our team in Polican, ministry has been both great and slow. It’s been both an incredible and challenge experience but all the more, I’m grateful for this. It’s been a season of trials, seed planting, watering, fruit, and just being an encouragement or a friend to others. The cultural experience has been diverse, and slightly uncomfortable at times. I remember when we first arrive, I was struck to the heart and frightened at the sight of the multitudes of Muslim mosques as we made our way to our ministry site the first time. Now I find myself not with a numbness to these mosques, but with a broken heart of compassion while at the same time possessing peace and confidence in the Lord.
In this challenging season and now soon concluding chapter of my life, God has been challenging and encouraging me through His word with three verses. In the trials I’m facing, in my personal relationship with Him as a son, and in our concluding ministry.
“2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
James 1:2-4
As I walk trough trials right now, this verse pushes me to find joy that my faith is being tested and refined and so to not resist these circumstances but allow them perform their work, even though difficult as it is, so that I can be brought to a deeper maturity and love and joy.
“2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.“
Revelations 2:2-5
This verse comes from Christ’s letters to 7 churches in Revelation and challenges me to never forget the love I have for Him and to allow this to drive my life and my decisions. These letters as a whole again challenge and push me into perseverance and steadfastness in my day to day life. But what gets my heart most is the generosity and love of God as He promises incredible rewards and gifts to those who are faithful children and servants.
“15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
This verse challenges me to make the most of the rest of my time on this mission. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity that I most likely won’t have again. This reminds me that we live in a world where people simply don’t know the love of God and so I can make the most of every opportunity to show and allow Him to share His love through me
I now just ask you to pray for us in our final stretch. We’re all in this together; me and you, my team, and the Lord. Pray that we would make the most of it. That we see the opportunity we have. That we would be salt and light. That God would use. That God would prepare us to come home. Even a prayer right now would help. We’ve been praying together as a team recently and have seen some incredible answered prayers recently so never doubt the power of prayer as God hears and responds!
Thanks for reading,
Brenton
