Believe it or not, I am sitting here in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia, month number THREE on the World Race. Time sure flies when you’re having fun and expanding the Kingdom. Thought I’d catch you up on where we’re at and a few thoughts bouncing around my mind. Last week we concluded our ministry out of the YWAM base in Siem Reap and moved down the street to join the rest of the squad at a guesthouse for a few days of debrief. It was a rich time of rest, rejuvenation, fellowship, and growth. From there, we all jumped on a plane (FYI, Malaysian Airlines are top notch – full meal on a 2 hour flight? yes, please) to KL, where the men and women of R squad parted ways to spend the month growing with our respective genders into the unique men and women God made us to be.
Psalm 127:1
For the month we are staying above a restaurant ran by an amazing couple as an outreach tool to their city. They have an amazing story – as they were enjoying retirement at a golf resort God spoke a conviction into them to break out of their patterns of comfort, choosing to end their race at a sprint instead of barely walking. From there, they took one step at a time, trusting and having faith God would show up with the step after that. This ministry is a perfect example how God’s work defies a formula, as we see this couple simply look at the skills God has given them, such as running a business (or doing math…), and direct those to be best used for his glory. They used the phrase of doing ministry on “neutral ground” – God doesn’t only move in churches and formal ministries, but in restaurants, offices, schools, and factories. Notably, in this unique setting of a Muslim-dominated country where proseletizying and conversions are essentially illegal, this neutral ground is particularly necessary.
Last night, our contacts invited 5 of us (we split the 10 total men into 2 groups of 5 for exposure to different ministries) to their cell group bible study that meets every week through their church. It was one of countless times on the race that taught us to abandon all expectations whenever walking into a new situation. We very well could have been meeting in a shack up on stilts, a dimly lit basement, or a sweltering classroom, and probably wouldn’t have been surprised. However, tonight still defied much of what we could have envisioned. We take the train a couple stops, jump into a van with our contact, and drive out into some neighborhoods of KL. We pull up to the security gate of this secure neighborhood, and begin passing houses impressive by American standards. At this point, our contact shares about some of the individuals that attend his cell group, including some very well-off, high-ranking businessmen. Of course, I’m going to spend my evening in a bible study with upper-class Malaysian businessmen and women. Just another night on the World Race, humbly learning from and sharing life with disciples from every walk of life.
It was an incredible evening. Curt and Matthew led worship, pulling in the house piano to add a beautiful touch. The group leader walked through a recap from that week’s church message on the transformational leadership of David, particularly in light of his victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-11, 45-51), followed by some discussion questions. This led into some specific questions for our group as they requested any significant stories thus far as well as asking how we have changed in the last 3 months.
Well…how have I changed in the last 3 months?
This question took me a moment to consider, probably longer than it should’ve. I need to be more intentional about taking note of the work God is doing in my heart, processing and recording the progress of this journey. I thought back to the things that sent me on this race; the desire to depend on God and take a step a faith out of every comfort and away from all that is familiar, to see and take part in the work He is already doing around the world, to answer His command to go out into all nations, making disciples and proclaiming His truth.
-Matthew 4:19, 21b-22
Reluctantly, I’ve also realized less admirable motives, such as a cynicism that I have carried far too long of the unworthiness of a secular profession. It’s a shame it took me coming to the other side of the world to really appreciate the genuine obedience of answering God’s call to a profession regardless of its surface spiritual value, but that’s where I’m at. I have seen incredible individuals running orphanages, schools, and restaurants for the glory of God, and the model for God’s work has been the same as it has always been: “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) David Platt has some solid stuff to say of discipleship, and God’s plan to change the world:
“[Jesus] was initiating a revolution, but his revolution would not
revolve around the masses or the multitudes. Instead it would revolve
around a few men. It would not revolve around garnering a certain
position. Instead it would revolve around choosing a few people. He
would intentionally shun titles, labels, plaudits, and popularity in his
plan to turn the course of history upside down. All he wanted was a few
men who would think as he did, love as he did, see as he did, teach as
he did, and serve as he did. All he needed was to revolutionize the
hearts of a few, and they would impact the world.”
“He has given us people, and he has said, ‘Live for them. Love them,
serve them, and lead them. Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead
others to follow me. In the process you will multiply the gospel to the
ends of the earth.”
“The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and
recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all
peoples, particularly those who have never even heard of Jesus.”
God put you where you are for His glory. Be tuned in to His prompting, but don’t waste the time you have right now, right where you are, with the people He has put around you. In suburban Dayton, OH or downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the command and calling is the same. Students and refugees, engineers and the elderly, orphans and scholars, athletes and addicts…He has given us people.
