Location: The meeting room of our base in Sighisoara, trying not to disturb anyone sleeping since it is almost 4:30am on October 5.
Why am I up so early, apart from the fact that I love this time of day? I spent the last hour getting sick and recovering from it. I will spare you the details, but you can imagine what fun it is to have to go from the fourth floor to the bottom level via an outdoor stairway in brisk October weather to get sick in a restroom whose pipes cannot handle toilet paper, much less anything I want to put in them... Do not worry, Mom, it is probably a little food poisoning. I am humbled, but happy. So now I want to enjoy the remain part of these holy hours by spending time with the LORD, with you, and writing--three of my favorites!
A week ago, I was speaking to my friend, T., as he walked beside me pushing his bicycle. I have noticed a lot of people pushing bikes here, sometimes because the hills are too steep, sometimes because there is no safe place to ride, sometimes because their load is too cumbersome to balance while pedaling. I have given it a lot of thought, thinking about why people would go to the trouble of pushing a bike everywhere. It is no simple task, especially under certain circumstances, and in addition these proud bike owners have to make sure they store their bikes in a safe place so they will not get stolen or ruined by inclement weather. I wonder why they do not just get ride of the bike and walk--it seems like it would be so much easier!
You will recall that a few weeks ago I had some exciting weekend adventures traveling and meeting up with friends. The following weekend my mother laughing told me she wondered what adventures would await me. That is when I ended up shopping in the Romanian market and praying in one church and preaching in another. As Monday morning now prepares to dawn, I can report that evidently weekends are exciting around here! Let me tell you about this one...
Saturday we headed to Targu Mures to meet up with another team doing work similar to ours. Our mission? To encourage and sharpen the team, and to join them in presenting a Sunday School program. I was not very eager to go, having been told to expect a day that would begin at 9am and last until 10pm, after an already busy week in Sighisoara. To my delight, it turned out to be wonderful.
True, had you been in Targu Mures in the morning, you might have seen us pushing the minivan in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, but that happens sometimes! Sometimes I enjoy working with J. and E., because believe it or not, sometimes they "stick out" even more than me (they are French and Romanian). That in no way suggests that as the American I blend in at all, but it is still nice, since we Americans get such a bad rap for being loud. In fact, we often joke about why they waited so long to have a "pet American" around when I am so much fun!
So yes, we "popped" the clutch and the van started, and we arrived at our destination without incident. We began our day with a little fun to unite our teams, and then we split up and headed into the neighborhoods to invite the children for that evening's program. We ate lunch together and spent the afternoon coaching and preparing, and then we did the program (in Hungarian). A drunk fellow tried to run us off when we first began to set up, but by now that is not something too unusual, so we prayed about it and the situation was resolved. We had a wonderful time with the children and their families, then we packed up, debriefed, and went home with a quick stop at a local superstore. A couple of highlights were a visit with a lady in the morning, a rhythmic "Stomp" showdown we performed, and watching God work through the team in Targu Mures.
I am not sure who the woman was, but we were invited to sit down in her living room for refreshments. While our "local area connection" (the girl from the Targu Mures team who knew the community) ran an errand, J. asked the lady one simple question: "When did you become a Christian?" The following monologue in Romanian was difficult for me to follow, lasting probably at least an half-hour before we had to politely excuse ourselves to rendez-vous with the rest of our team. But even if I understood few words, it was terrific to watch this woman's face as she told about what Jesus has done in her life! The little I did comprehend told of her becoming a Christian 13 years ago, of some of the trials, and of the many blessings. But her face danced as she retraced the memories! How I wish that more people were so thankful, so grateful, so happy to talk about the Lord's work in their life. So many people, even so many Christians, have lost the joy they once knew when the Lord reached into their hearts to forever change them! Not this woman! She gentle spoke with dreamy eyes, but with a conviction that was riveting!
Thus passed Saturday, and I was ready for a day of rest on Sunday (this Sabbath idea will actually be our lesson topic this week, the fourth of the Ten Commandments). I went to church a little early so I could prepare myself for worship and fellowship with the people. Then I ended up staying for a special lunch they shared (I ate the American-style meatloaf and mashed potatoes for you, Dad!). I also ended up staying for their congregational meeting and elections because I wanted to learn about their church leadership. Sunday was also J.'s birthday, so we did a little simple celebrating, too, planning to have a bigger party later.
So that was my weekend. Thursday had been great, too, because one of my Cluj friends dropped in an helped out with our program that day--and survived! Friday was fairly routine with an extra attack on the remodeling project, trying to get that done so J. and E. can move into their home! Yes, I accidentally made two kids cry during Friday's program, but I think they forgave me. These last several days included some very positive time with the children and their families. I have seen much answered prayer, lately, and a lot of that is in your lives as I hear from you! There have been some good discussions here among us as team members, and some excellent times of worship and prayer. We have been privileged to watch God making a difference in many lives, and in our own!
No, I did not forget about the bikes--did you? Pushing bikes is obviously worth it to many people. Why? Because for all the trouble going uphill or carrying a load or keeping it secure, they are valuable for traveling in the long run! They help to cover great distances; they are quicker than walking, especially going downhill! Sometimes they can be used to help transport larger loads that would be hard or heavy to carry. Pushing bikes a little is rewarded by riding bikes a lot.
It is the same with life with Christ Jesus, or living life as a missionary. Why endure all the uphill battles and inconveniences? Why deal with uncomfortable situations, unfamiliar places, foreign persons? Why surrender everything to Jesus when we could have so many luxuries?
Because the rewards are worth it. In fact, with God, I would say they are phenomenal!
For me here, it is worth living frugally, trying to learn a foreign language, eating food that may have made me sick, pushing a dead minivan, missing friends and family and Thanksgiving and Christmas, washing my hand-me-down clothes knowing that I will have to hope they dry on the clothesline, etc., because of the blessing of watching my Father God at work in and through me. Not only am I learning and being ever transformed, but I have had the privilege of teaching and encouraging and serving and loving those around me. Even only one person came to know Jesus because of His strength in my weakness, it would be worth pushing the bike!
This blog is your opportunity to travel with me wherever I am in the world, during both the mundane and exciting moments of life that I humbly recognize as holy. As I bare my life to you, may your reading take you beyond my words to the Word, beyond my life to the Life, beyond the chaos to the Truth, and beyond teachings to the Teacher--the Rabboni. I promise it will be an adventure, and by the end, may you, too, truly know the Way!
A Rose From Home
My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)
I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…
I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.
Have you ever been hurt by the Church?
After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”
Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?
So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.
Have you ever felt like a fake?
Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.
Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?
Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.
In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”
Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?
I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.
It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!
If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!
Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?
If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!
My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.
Now, what is your story?