In the middle of nowhere in Ethiopia, there’s nothing much to do other than pray, read, think, write, and repeat. Seems daunting, but God really knew that I would need this in this season of life. I am so grateful to have this opportunity because I have just fallen in love with the Word of God more and more each day. I am also remembering how much I actually love to read and learn. In a previous blog, I mentioned a book that Redwan gave me called Let the Nations be Glad! By John Piper. And I kid you not, I would say this book changed my life. Not as much as the bible, duh, it’s the bible. But it opened my perspective concerning global missions and it answered so many questions about Christianity I have been wrestling with. Let me just say I find it funny that I am writing about a book I read when I am not even in school right now 🙂 But this is fun for me, so enjoy! This book is just so beautifully organized and every argument and fact is backed up by scripture. It’s all very biblical and it’s so clear that John Piper has the confidence of the Lord on his side.
The thesis of the book is that in order for missions to be glorifying the Lord, we need to make God supreme in missions. How do we go about that? What does that mean? John Piper explains that glorifying the Lord is simply reached through our total satisfaction in Him. This sparked up a few questions: Am I truly satisfied in the Lord? What else am I turning to for satisfaction? What does it look like to be wholly satisfied in Jesus? God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. If we are doing missions to satisfy our friends or family, our instagram feed, or anything else other than God, we are doing it for the wrong reason. Not only that, but God is not being glorified. And if we aren’t glorifying God, we are glorifying ourselves. And if we are glorifying ourselves, we are sinning.
One of the best quotes, or most famous quotes from John Piper is this, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate.” This kind of worship doesn’t mean standing in a building full of people looking at a stage with a full band, lights, and a fog machine. Piper is referring to the kind of worship that glorifies God with our whole life, not just one day a week. The kind of worship when you run to God even when you are tired and hurting. The kind of worship where you talk about God no matter who you are hanging out with in the moment. Where we are wholly satisfied no matter where we are or how we are feeling. This worship is getting to that quiet place and getting into the presence of God just as we are. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures evermore.” Psalm 16:11 … As long as this type of worship doesn’t exist, the longer missions exists around the world.
We have the power to make God supreme around the world through prayer. Piper explains prayer like this: “We cannot know what prayer is for until we know that life is war…prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief.” When John Piper talks about prayer in his book, it makes so much sense because I have seen it while being on the race. So much changes when we realize that God is so powerful and mighty that He doesn’t have to grant our requests, but if it’s His Will (that is huge) then He has complete authority to do whatever advances the kingdom for His glory. He does whatever is best for his people, He is that kind and that loving. I have heard so many stories of people (including myself) getting frustrated with God when they don’t get what they want or they don’t get an answer right away. We get so angry at him, but it’s often that our hearts aren’t in the right place and we can’t see the bigger picture. Since being in Guatemala and Ethiopia, my squad has really gotten the opportunity to fight on behalf of people who don’t know the love of Jesus. “Strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.” -Romans 15:30… I am also learning that prayer doesn’t always look like saying a bunch of words, it looks like sitting in silence and listening to what God has to say about who or what we are praying for. Prayer is a two way conversation. We cannot have missions unless we have prayer. Prayer is a lifestyle tool that God gives us so we can fuel our work in missions. Yes, prayer is the direct line to the Father when we are out on the field fighting for His people. But thank you Lord we don’t have to feel a heavy burden from that because He has already won the war by sending Jesus to atone for everyone’s sins. “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.”-1 Timothy 6:12
Another big part of Christianity and missions is suffering. Suffering in the means of persecution has never really been a part of my life if I’m being honest. I’ve had hard times in life, but I’ve never been in a situation of violence and persecution. Growing up in west Houston sets you up for a pretty privileged life. Being on the race has given me an insight to what suffering even looks like and how to walk through it. Not saying I am living in danger of violence (thank you AIM), but this is the first time I’ve been outside of my little privileged bubble. Right now my suffering looks a wee bit different than Paul’s constant beatings, which I am thankful for. John Piper says, “loss and suffering, joyfully accepted for the kingdom of God, show the supremacy of God’s worth more clearly than all worship and prayer.” In Acts 21, Paul even says he is “ready to not only be imprisoned but even die for the name of the Lord Jesus.” How much am I willing to endure for the Gospel? Jesus is the best example of what true suffering is. If we are able to go through trials rejoicing for our Hope in Christ, we are fulfilling our call as Christians which is to be satisfied in God no matter what happens to us.
There’s a few questions I’ve been wrestling with after I chose to give my life to Christ when I was twelve. Can people be saved through God alone, or do they need to know Jesus specifically? Can devout followers of other religions be saved if they believe in God? Even becoming a missionary and going on this world race thing, I wasn’t sure how to go about evangelism without being “that” christian who is pushy about the gospel. I was afraid because I didn’t quite understand the weight of what is truly at stake. My whole life I’ve heard that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Through reading the bible and reading this book, I came across so much more truth to help me believe what I have heard. Something I learned from this book is that I firmly believe that universalism and agnosticism have plagued the United States and the world. Universalism is believing that anyone can be saved at their death and agnosticism is believing there is no eternal punishment. Both of which are easy to believe, but not the case. It’s not easy for me to believe that people who believe in anything else other than Jesus are going to face eternal punishment. If the Bible says so, and the Bible simply cannot fail, then it is the truth. God came down in pure humility as a baby for the sole purpose of dying a shameful death in order to save people from the eternal punishment of sin. God makes no mistakes and does everything for a kingdom purpose. I have so many people near and dear to my heart who have other strong religious beliefs or simply don’t believe in anything at all. The bible makes it so clear that our purpose is to “bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations” -Romans 1:5. The name of which is being referred is Jesus. The coolest thing I am learning about the Bible is that since the beginning of time, there has been ancient prophesy about the coming of Jesus. Jesus is the fulfillment of years and years of prophesy from the Lord that was spoken and written through people in the bible. This is God’s perfect plan for his people. So yes I proclaim the name of Jesus, not in a hypocritical way, but in such a way that reflects the love and sacrifice it took to send your only son to die. If I live this out every day and truly believe it, how could I not say something to the people around me? People need to have their eyes and heart open to receive the love they were given years and years before they were even born. That love is only through Jesus. “The work of Christ in the obedience of the cross is pictured as the divine answer to the plight of the entire human race”- John Piper
In conclusion, God is so good. The good news of the gospel is so relevant and unwavering. It is literally classic. It never fails. “God is sovereign. Yes, he made all his plans hang on the success of his Word proclaimed by frail and sinful men and women; nevertheless, his purposes cannot fail” – John Piper, Let the Nations be Glad! God is always there when I have really intense questions and doubts, when I just need to cry over the fact that Africa is hard, or even when I need to laugh and have fun. The gospel makes people do weird things such as pray over people with injuries and illnesses, go on nine month long mission trips, or perhaps voluntarily write a whole book review on why I am obsessed with and in love with Jesus. And if I am considered weird for the gospel, so be it.
Peace and blessings,
Hannah Keller
