This last month our team was assigned the duty of finding new ministry contacts for future racers. There came a point at the end of the month where we were winding down with our interviews and wrapping up the month. We were in Ceiba and we stayed at a church. About one o’clock everyday the power would go out and the rooms in the church quickly became a sauna. In effort to avoid baking alive we went to the mall to get AC.
So for four days we would go to the mall for relief from the heat. Some of those days we had interviews with potential new contacts but most of our time consisted of walking the mall, getting wifi, and drinking chai lattes. I look back and I think what a waste of time. We had four days we could have been doing ministry and we hung out in the mall instead. That time could have been devoted to group worship, prayer, prayer walking, etc
At first it became very easy for me to blame my team leader for not directing our team to use our time more wisely. I mean, it’s not my fault my team leader didn’t have something for us to do, right?
One thing God had been teaching me is that I am responsible for my own choices and actions, not anyone else. In those moments I could have done my own prayer or Bible study, and I didn’t. That is on me, no one else. I can’t get that time back.
This made me think about church back home. I have at times felt that it was the church’s fault that I wasn’t growing in my faith. I would think, “Well, the church doesn’t offer the things I need; it is their fault.” I now see that that thought process is wrong. My spiritual growth has far more to do with my commitment to it then to what programs the church can offer. In fact, I could be involved with numerous programs and if I am not serious about knowing God more then I won’t grow to my potential. Furthermore, if a ministry doesn’t exist and I see a need, then perhaps I am the one to help start that.
There is always more work that can be done for the Lord, so let’s get up and do it. No more excuses!
