To begin this year my first story must be about the greatest
missionary we’ll ever know, Jesus Christ.
It’s a story of what He has done for me.
A missionary is someone who unselfishly, intentionally seeks
to reveal the character of our Father to those whom it has been hidden, to
bring reconciliation between the sinner and God who does not count our sins
against us. This is the work Christ did
for me last year. Although I am not a
stranger to God I still have much to learn of His character! From our human wisdom we constantly seek ways
to make ourselves feel good. Choosing to
serve in a jungle for a year accomplished this for me. It would make me feel better about myself in
any case. And so I came to Palawan
thinking I had entitlements and expecting to receive what I deserved. I was blind to all of this and God in His
gracious mercy started showing me. Jesus
began His reconciling work by revealing my pride and how utterly sinful I
really was. I realized I deserved
nothing except the natural consequences of living a sinful life. Was it hard?
It was terrible! I was found
utterly defenseless and proven guilty.
And so my heart was fully prepared to receive the torrents of God’s
grace! For I saw my desperate need and
knew my only hope was in God’s mercy!
This year I came to
Palawan with a much clearer understanding of the work of a missionary. Although I am a second year Student
Missionary I hold on to no entitlements.
I am still keenly aware of what I, an imperfect human, deserves yet I am
resting peacefully in God’s unchanging character of being a merciful Father.
Jesus has taken my
expecting, prideful heart and given me a humble, grateful one in its
place. It is the greatest miracle I’ve
ever known and a gift that keeps on overflowing. And so I share with you my story for the
express purpose of publicly giving God all the honor and glory He deserves and
thanking Him for being so gracious to me.
