December 8, 2010

• Performance… For What?

  It’s nearing the end of the year, so it’s about time to reflect on what was accomplished through the year.  For a missionary like me, it’s also time to write up a thank you note for supporters to sum up what has happened over the year.  For missionaries, and I’ve experienced this myself, there can be a desire to justify ourselves through our performance/accomplishments.  This can be tough, especially in seed planting ministries like working with kids.  One missionary who works with children shared this concern with me recently, and this was what I was led to write…

  <<You aren’t on a performance scale or anything like that.  I think if you were to ask a good mom raising kids, “What did you accomplish this past year?” the mom would say, “I loved my kids.”  To be honest, when North Korea opens up and miracles begin to be released, I’ll be sad if my support letter mainly highlights just the number of people being saved and healed.  People seem to like numbers and wild stories, but I’ve learned the miracles and even decisions mean little and the love means the most.  People get saved and fall away quickly.  Even Billy Graham expressed some regret over his own ministry because he knew most of the people who made decisions at his revivals soon fell away.  It’s love that brings the lasting results.  >>
  
  So this is the question I pose to my fellow orphanage volunteers and other missionaries: “Have you grown in loving them this year?”  Are there less lonely, crying children?  Are there more children growing in the revelation that they are noticed, that they are worthy to be cared for, and that they are able to succeed?  That is the most worthy accomplishment… to have loved.  Without love all the ministry events, special activities, and service work have accomplished nothing. 

  Breakthrough is coming.  We are continuing to contend for more revelation of God’s love, healing, and deliverance for these kids.  Although we have already been seeing it while serving friends and disciples, we have yet to see it among the children of Seoul.  But we know our responsibility is to pray towards it and to just keep loving them and leave the results to God.  He knows the perfect time. 

  God bless!

  • 1:55 am
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