Some
Christians have told me that they found their Mr. Right while they were out on
the mission field or in service to God. I find it interesting that many
people don’t want to become a Christian because they are afraid that God will
send them on a mission and yet I always wanted to be a missionary and never
was sent by God. I know some other women of God too that went to Bible
college and after a divorce, they gave up the dream to go on the mission field
to clothe and feed their children.
And how can anyone preach unless they
are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
good news!" Romans 10:15
When
I became a Christian at 17 years old, my father wanted me to go to Business
college and he offered to pay my way and take care of my son, but instead I
joined a tent revival that went from city to city at 19 years old. The
elders of that ministry never sent me to another country because I was a single
parent and they felt it was too hard. But, they said that they
appreciated my fervor and zeal for the Lord.
They
only sent single never married and they sent married couples. Not only
that, but this group was against getting married so that further “sunk” my
chances of ever going to another country in that ministry. If
anyone wanted to date, they would send them out of town or to another country
and separate them immediately because they discouraged marriage. They
believed like Paul we should stay single. It’s funny but most of those
elders had wives that believed that so I guess they did not believe it for themselves.
It’s
one of the “signs” of the last days that people will forbid to marry. I’ve
noticed even a discouragement with Christian singles while Islam faith is
procreating five children per family. At least the Catholic Church is
fulfilling God’s word to “be fruitful and multiply.”
They forbid people to marry and order
them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with
thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:3
First,
I interviewed to lead a teen challenge ministry in California, but did not get
that mainly because there was not enough financial support. I met a
person in the missionary group who became my buddy and I went to her hometown
of Jacksonville, Florida. I was married there at 21 years old to a person I had
met in that group. He left when his father had a sudden heart attack and
passed away. I supported him by working and his music and teaching
ministry for seven years and for him to go to Bible college and trips to India
on missions so I was the person who sent – did not go even though I
wanted to go.
It
sort of reminds me of when I had to serve jury duty that there was this state
computer programmer that was not chosen to do jury duty who eagerly wanted to
serve jury duty, but then the prosecutor nor the lawyer did not pick
him. Anyway, I did not want to serve jury duty and I got picked when I did
not want to serve. I find that I usually do ministries I don’t want to do
so my name is Mary Jonah. Singles socials is definitely something I would
not have picked for myself and next on the top of the list are widows, followed
by nursing home ministries. The Bible does talk about this doing what we
don’t want to do in life. Jesus told Peter he was going to go places he
did not want to go.
The older brother became angry and
refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
Luke 15:28
Very truly I tell you, when you were
younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old
you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where
you do not want to go." John 21:18
What do you think? There was a man who
had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the
vineyard.' I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and
went. hen the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He
answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go Which of the two did what his father
wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them,
"Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the
kingdom of God ahead of you. Mathew 21:28-31
I
applied for every Christian job out there at one time to use my computer
skills, and I would land these jobs where it was definitely the opposite so I
gave up on using my skills for the church. What helps me is
that it’s being faithful to serve in Judea first so I’m not going to concern
myself anymore with going to other countries or serving in church. I work
around 40 international students at a university so it’s as if the other
country came to my job. The focus now is to the homeless and needy.
First to those in Damascus, then to
those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that
they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their
deeds. Acts 26:20
When
I was in this Christian missionary group the leader talked about if we are
Christians we should be out preaching the gospel full time, but if we are
working a job than we better make the best bowling balls ever.
I
had to take a AutoCAD class several years ago for a computer graphics
degree/mechanical engineering at Purdue, and my husband wanted to audit the
class with me. I don’t particularly like engineering, and he did not like
computer programming as an estimator for a construction company. He just
wanted to see what it does since people in his field use that program. I
got permission to measure a bowling alley from the bowling alley place, and
made the lanes and a bowling ball in 3D. We put in the X,Y and Z
coordinates. I decided to do this in case in the future I decided to have
a sign up website for the bowling clubs I organized for staff and students at
work.
I
did not realize that God has a sense of humor, but he reminded me of that
missionary leader’s words and He said, “Well you just made the best bowling
ball ever, you made one on the computer in 3D.”
I
met my husband about one year after I started college to work on a
degree. My father was very happy that I went to college at the age of 35
years old, and he always wanted me to marry a college graduate. I don’t
have to be concerned about pleasing my earthly father anymore, because he is
not alive, but maybe God wanted me to give that gift to my father after I had spent
time in ministry. I know it was “important” to my earthly father
and sometimes what is important to our earthly dads, God will honor our
parents. It says to “honor our father and mother.”
We
are to “strive” to enter into God’s rest. Hebrews 4:11 At times in life,
I’m striving and at times I’m resting. It’s a dual process of when to
work and when to rest and play. Life is not all work and life is
not all play. God want us to enjoy our labors and the fruit of our hands.
Satan complained how God had blessed the work of Job’s hands.
Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan
replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything
he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and
herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike
everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11
I’ve
done things over and over outside my “natural” abilities at times as far as
seeking God for extra strength/His power in difficult times. David said
“By my God I can run through a troop and leap over a wall.”
For even when we were with you, we gave
you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." 2
Thess. 3:10
The Lord will open the heavens, the
storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all
the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from
none. Duet 28:12
Bless all his skills, Lord, and be
pleased with the work of his hands. Strike down those who rise against him, his
foes till they rise no more." Duet 33:11
The Lord your God has blessed you in
all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this
vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you
have not lacked anything. Duet 2:7
No comments:
Post a Comment