If you ask the right person, they might reveal that I can tend to procrastinate when it comes to getting certain things done. But I might offer to you the nuanced opinion that I just work better under pressure. Whatever the case, this past year I was presented with a pretty firm deadline that my family was going to be serving as missionaries in Guadalajara, Mexico for 11 months. No more, no less. Throughout life, I can have the allusion that I have plenty of hours for all the things I want to do, but this past year, I was acutely aware that my time was like sand passing through an hour glass. There were only a certain number of classes I would teach, sermons I would preach, conversations with students, hangouts with new friends and bites of taco I would consume while in Mexico. How to make the most of my time?
I didn’t do everything right and I know I missed some opportunities. But I tried to see each day as an opportunity and the encounters with each class and every student or teacher as really important. Certainly, there were days that I did not feel like having that mindset. Perhaps there was a student that I wished I could avoid or some classes that made me want to call in sick. But I asked our Heavenly Father to see others with His heart, for strength to give of myself fully and for guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, the certainty and closeness of my departure from Mexico helped to focus me and push me towards a more purposeful, missional living.
So, what is the takeaway from this lesson for us? Time is limited! Life is short! Make the most of it! God invites all of us to be on mission for Him. Maybe God isn’t calling you to move to Mexico… or maybe he is… but think about who God has placed in front of you. As Pastor Nick said in his sermon on Sunday… “Have you prayed for you co-workers? … Have you invited them to church?” Are we just existing, going with the flow, and following the culture or do we have an ear that is listening for God and His instructions for us as Kingdom dwellers?
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5)
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
I am grateful for the opportunities God provides for us each new day (even if it doesn’t include tacos). We are so glad to be back. We are thankful for your thoughts and prayers. We are still getting unpacked and settled in, but are excited to share with you more about our journey this Sunday and in the coming weeks and months.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
I didn’t do everything right and I know I missed some opportunities. But I tried to see each day as an opportunity and the encounters with each class and every student or teacher as really important. Certainly, there were days that I did not feel like having that mindset. Perhaps there was a student that I wished I could avoid or some classes that made me want to call in sick. But I asked our Heavenly Father to see others with His heart, for strength to give of myself fully and for guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, the certainty and closeness of my departure from Mexico helped to focus me and push me towards a more purposeful, missional living.
So, what is the takeaway from this lesson for us? Time is limited! Life is short! Make the most of it! God invites all of us to be on mission for Him. Maybe God isn’t calling you to move to Mexico… or maybe he is… but think about who God has placed in front of you. As Pastor Nick said in his sermon on Sunday… “Have you prayed for you co-workers? … Have you invited them to church?” Are we just existing, going with the flow, and following the culture or do we have an ear that is listening for God and His instructions for us as Kingdom dwellers?
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5)
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
I am grateful for the opportunities God provides for us each new day (even if it doesn’t include tacos). We are so glad to be back. We are thankful for your thoughts and prayers. We are still getting unpacked and settled in, but are excited to share with you more about our journey this Sunday and in the coming weeks and months.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark