Week 9
This week, I was walking with a friend to the bus station. On our walk, I smelled something beautiful. The thoughts of beauty withered away once I realized this was the smell of an incense offering to an idol. We passed a shrine filled with large, golden statues of various idols. I stopped and observed. Offerings of fruit, flowers, and incense were placed before these statues. My heart ached as the sober reality of what my God requires: “mercy, not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
My God only requires us to know and trust him. What gift could we give him that he does not have (Psalm 50:10-11)? What sacrifice is greater than thanksgiving (Psalm 50:14;23)? Nothing I can bring would be sufficient. The only sufficient sacrifice is the sacrifice of his son on the cross. How I respond will determine my worship. Will I sing praises? Will I teach others? Will I give into doubt and fear? Will I give thanks, or will I curse? Will my life be marked with steadfastness in faith in Jesus?
When I stand in a nation of idol worship, I realize that my thanksgiving and praise must be louder than the worship of idols. I must act and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My life is hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3), and I have been made new The things I bring must be different so that my life is a light to the world (Matthew 5:14).
This torch that I bear, I bear imperfectly. Fear and doubt can creep in easily, but the Lord is faithful to uphold those who trust in him (Psalm 145:14). During our weekly prayer meeting I came across a song called Facing the Task Unfinished:
Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that, undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known
Where other lords besides Thee
Hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying
For life, and love, and light
Unnumbered souls are dying
And pass into the night
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord.
We bear the torch that flaming
Fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming
That Jesus died and rose
Ours is the same commission
The same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition
To Thee, we yield our powers
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord.
We go to the world because Christ came to the world. Even in a land filled with idols, I will praise and worship the one true king. To be known by Christ and to make Christ known is all my God requires of me. How do you respond to the call of God?
Ministry:
This week, my roommate and I helped with a middle/high school retreat for a local homeschool co-op. All the students were children of missionaries across Southeast Asia. The students led the worship and teaching. The resort that we stayed at allowed us to worship in the lobby. It was amazing to see the Lord be exalted in such a public space from believers from all over. I was able to have some great conversations with the students. It was a blessing to provide them with an environment where they could play and worship.
My roommate and I also helped a family by babysitting their children. This small service can make a big difference in a parent’s life, and it was a gift to provide that for them. It gives us opportunities to love children while parents are serving.
We have one more conference this month and will be preparing for the rest of this week. I also have several upcoming opportunities to support families with children with disabilities. I am grateful to have some coffee dates with new friends this week. I am thankful for everything the Lord has provided for me.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that I will trust God that He cares for me and has good plans for me
- Pray for our upcoming conference
- Pray for my upcoming visit to a foster home
- Pray for the upcoming Christmas party for the homeschool co-op
- Pray for MKs as they find their identity in Christ
- Praise God for providing opportunities to serve individuals with disabilities
- Pray for negative self-beliefs to be replaced by Gospel truth
- Pray for a family serving in northern Thailand: that their student ministry will bear fruit
- Pray for MKs going to college in passport country
- Pray for missionaries from a closed country as they serve in Thailand
- Pray that I will grow friendships here and when I go back to the States
- Pray for my heart as I celebrate my first Thanksgiving away from family
- Pray for my family as they celebrate Thanksgiving with me away
- Praise God for meeting financial needs unexpectedly and with abundance
- Pray that my mind stays on God