Conviction isn’t comfortable (Pt. 1)
While in cross-cultural training one thing has struck me that I felt urged to present to you in the form of a prayer request. As Laura and I have been discussing the upcoming transition to Germany and what life will be like there we have been convicted to bring the spiritual transition into focus as well. Part of this addition to our thought process has been due to learning more about the state of the European psyche and church. Part of this shift in thinking has also come about due to the heavy emphasis on cultural relevance and acknowledging parts of our culture that are Biblical and parts of the Bible that are cultural, or in other words, what Truths (T) are part of the “meta-narrative” of God’s story and therefore culturally transferable and which truths (t) have been taught as applicable to American culture and would not instill similar cultural motives and acknowledgment of sin. (Some missionaries describe it as the culture of the Bible as different than American culture which is also different than the third or target culture, with the goal of teaching an understanding of Biblical culture without simply transposing American cultural beliefs into the target culture)
But alas I digress… The point is to ask for your prayers as we are made aware of the difficulties in transition, that we would face them (against our tendencies) and strive to look to God for our spiritual nourishment, strength, and guidance. So where does the uncomfortable conviction aspect come into view, well the point that struck home for me was the truth of Galatians 3:2-5 as Paul reminds us that the Spirit’s work to change our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh occurs through suffering. Even in my case, it takes moments of mental or spiritual wrestling for me to realize that I need to change, whether it be actions, thoughts, motives, words, whatever. Which finally leads to my initial thought and prayer request:
Please pray that God continue to draw us close to Him and each other as we move into more strenuous moments of this transition – away from our family, friends, church, and everything that we knew as comfortable – physically, mentally, and spiritually – as our assumptions are challenged, our faith is refined, and our hearts are continued to be made more enamored by Christ.
Follow us on Twitter
Join our group
Subscribe to our RSS
Subscribe to our Prayer Letter
Interesting. I never read the bible and think how it might have American “culture” in it and how it could be imposing our “values” unto a culture that are not biblical. Challenging. I know myself that I have felt the cultural differences in my work place and wonder how in the heck can I share the gospel to a buddist, non practicing iranian Jew and “religious” Chaldeans. I don’t know how “I” can, but by God’s grace I hope I am doing something, even if is is small just by being “me”. last week in church as we started 1 timothy, Brian made a point that God uses “nobodies”. That was encouraging. All we can do is the best we can and leave the REST to God.
I have been encouraged this week by Psalm 33
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;[a]
He lays up the deep in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
Lord Bless your endeavors!!!!