Sunday, December 6, 2015

Something to Celebrate

In many ways it seems like we've been here a long time. And in other ways time has passed too quickly. It has been a privilege to serve on this team with these 14 other people. The Lord has taught me much through them. When we started on this journey we read Luke 10:1-9, where Jesus sends out seventy two disciples and gives them instructions about how they are to interact as strangers in unfamiliar places.

Over the course of the last 9 days our team has been part of many challenging, exciting and faith-building experiences. Some of those stories are contained in the blogposts below, I hope you take time to read through them.



However, tonight as we debriefed for the last time, in El Salvador, we returned to Luke 10, this time in verses 17-20. We were reminded through the examples of these followers of Jesus, that though we get to participate in some incredible awe-inspiring, even miraculous, experiences - we should be cautious in trying to relive or replicate those moments. Jesus says "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Our greatest sense of joy and our greatest capacity to retain some of the unique vitality that we have experienced on this trip will come from remembering that we follow the call and the example of Jesus until such a time as He returns and ushers in the fulfillment of His Kingdom!  That's where our motivation and purpose come from: being known by Our Heavenly Father, whether we're in El Salvador or as we soon resume our regular lives in and around Sarnia.

Thanks for praying along with us, because we all have something to celebrate.

Deve




Come to Me

Matthew 11: 28-30 reads, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I love this verse. In fact, I love it so much that I had it tattooed on my arm. It will never leave me. That offer is there for YOU. Whether you are a farmer in ElSalvador, or an executive in Canada, you can find rest. Jesus is faithful. Don't wait any longer.

Steve