Mission Minded: Forward

 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The prize that we are running for this summer is to glorify God's name among a community that is not familiar with the hope that is offered in Jesus Christ. If I give my kids and their parents an idea of the hope that I have in the future glory I will receive for eternity (Romans 8:18), than I have won my race for this summer. I will be the first to say that this summer has been a hard and challenging race; we are challenged with finding the strength and endurance to make it day after day, dealing with small issues that, it our minds, we blow out of proportion, and simply fighting the daily fight against Satan's attacks. I am humbled in my race to rely completely on my Lord for the strength to run, fight, and stay focused on my prize.

but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not faint.

 - Isaiah 40:31

God put this verse on my heart in a time of weakness and hopelessness, God never tells us that we won't trip up and grow weary in our race when we run for Him (Isaiah 40:28-31, Romans 7:21). So, in this time of need, God told me to trust and love Him and now in every situation, I as myself "Because I love my Lord, how will I handle this?" When I run the race with my eyes on God, my strength will be renewed, and he will push me forward to my prize.

Mission Anchorage: Week 5

Well, we're half way through the summer and God's works for the summer are coming to fruition. The lunch program serves as a base to get us to impact the kid's lives and begin to have important conversations with them. Each kid has a different and unique story, but the one commonality is a source of pain and hardship whether it's family problems, health problems, or social problems. Our goal at the parks is to create a safe and encouraging environment for the kids through Christ's love. They recognize this and soak up what we have to say when we speak into their lives.

One thing that God has revealed to me this summer is the importance of having an eternal perspective when living out the Great Commission. (Check out this youtube video) If I live as though eternity matters most, I will take every single opportunity I get in my short life here on earth to share with others about their own eternity. To share with the lost, how fulfilling life can be if they lived for Christ. To share with other Christians, how much I care for them and how much I want to see Christ shine through us more. To share with anyone, no matter what their walk looks like, how to better live for Christ. Since I've gained this perspective, God has blessed me with conversation after conversation that has proved to push us closer to him.

This isn't a perspective for missionaries or ministers or pastors; this is a perspective that all Christians should have no matter where God has them. I hope and pray that I maintain this perspective when I go back to my campus and to my friends and family and that I encourage others to live with the same eternal perspective.

"I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live."

- John 5:25

And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

- 1 John 2:25