Three Big Lessons

Support raising for Helen and I has been one of the most challenging experiences of our Christian life. Never before have either of us had to rely on the Lord for such simple things as a place to live and food to eat. To be honest, this was possibly one of the most uncomfortable positions a prideful, new husband could be in. In the beginning of our support-raising experience, I spent a lot of my time stressed out and doubting God. Many times I thought back to the prayer I pray almost daily, “God, I will go anywhere you want, to do whatever you want, whenever you want”, and thought that I should have clarified for God. I meant preaching to thousands of people or planting churches in the African Bush, not something as humbling as raising support.

However, as time has gone on, raising support has gone from an unfortunate hurdle to one of the most incredible experiences I have ever been through. Now, I couldn’t imagine starting off our marriage any other way. During our short time of support-raising so far, God has shown Himself in ways that neither Helen nor I could have ever imagined. From encouraging appointments with incredible people, to being humbled when we experience someone giving out of nothing because they are so bought into God’s mission. Out of all the incredible lessons that God has shown Helen and I, there is one that stands out from the rest. It was one of those paradigm-shifting lessons. One of the lessons that you come away from and you realize that your life will never be the same.

God used three people to teach us this lesson. A missionary family from Africa, a young couple on fire for the Lord, and the words of a seminary professor to his class.

The first was the missionary family from Africa. Helen, her family, and I got to share a meal with their family friends who do marriage counseling in Africa. During our conversation, they said that they had been trying to listen to God more. They said that we too often act first and then ask God to bless what we are doing. Instead we should be asking God what He wants first and then following where He leads. Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was 100% guilty.

The next lesson came about a week later. Helen and I were on a support appointment with another young married couple. We did the normal support raising thing; explained the ministry, asked them to support us, and overall it was a great appointment. The exciting part happened on our way back to the car when I was talking with the husband about our spiritual heroes. One of his heroes was Martin Luther who is quoted to have said that he prayed for 4 hours everyday because he couldn’t imagine getting through each day without that time. The conversation moved on from that, but those words stuck with me. If a man like Martin Luther, who stood up against hundreds of years of religious tradition to radically change the landscape of Christianity today said that he had to pray 4 hours a day because he couldn’t imagine not, how could I think that praying 30 minutes a day was all that I needed?

Both of those were incredible lessons in themselves, but a few days ago God used one last lesson to tie it all together. Helen and I were visiting DTS and we had the opportunity to briefly sit in on a class. During that time the professor explained to his class the difference between legalism and grace in a way that I will never forget. He said that legalists ask “where is the line and how close can I get to it?” but those who understand grace ask the question “what can I do to bring God the most joy?”. The professor explained what he meant using a parable;

All four of his children are incredibly intelligent and have always brought home straight “A” report cards. He posed the question to the class—“When my kids bring home great report cards, does it cause me to delight in them for the first time? No of course not!” He has always delighted in his children. Their excellence in school just provides a new way for him to delight in their character and who they are.

It is the same way with God. We are His children and He always delights in us. When we obey Him and do things that please Him, we are merely providing an opportunity for God to take joy in our character, who we are, and who He created us to be.

Then it hit me. I pray for 30 minutes a day; asking God to help me with this, give me that, and bless this. But I had it ALL wrong. Instead, everyday I get to wake up and ask God “How can I best bring You joy and glory today?”

And then just

Sit.

Be still.

Listen.

And allow Him to speak to me by moving in my heart and thoughts in order to direct me. I get to go throughout my day continuously aware that God is with me. I get to constantly talk to Him as He directs me throughout the day. Through the act of bringing God joy, I have found that I experience greater joy than when I am serving myself.