Missions Withdrawal: Counting Sin as Joy
Over these past couple of weeks, I have been feeling the weight of returning from a mountain top experience. My highs have become lows that reach into the depth of this world. I have felt isolated, purposeless, and tempted. I have been attempting to retain the fire I once held, but I feel as though it slowly suffocated. Despite my lack of expectations going into Italy, this is the one I held. I knew that normality would be a hinderence. However, I did not expect my collapse to bring such joy.
Since returning from my trip, I have been exposed to various emotions. Initially I was broken. Not knowing if or when I would ever see my missionary friends again. This brought great anguish. I justified this emotion by ackowledging that I would much rather spend eternity with my new friends as opposed to another day on this earth. I have embraced the priviledge to even have had these people brought into my life, for they will welcome me at the heavenly gates the day I leave this world. However, I still suffer.
Pride was the next element I had to battle. Communicating a life changing experience to your everyday friends and family is rough without seeming boastful. I was determined to adhere to my leadership mentality and in doing so may have come across as overly motivational. My mind is still concentrated on the dying world around me, but it breaks my heart to see others not as motivated as myself to make a difference. Once you experience God break down a language barrier to glorify Himself, it's hard to remain complacent. If he can work salvations through us to a foreign people group just imagine what he could do with those of the same! Not only is it difficult to motivate those around me, I find their lack of motivation demotivational. As a result, I still suffer.
Lastly, the wantonness of everyday life has made it's way back into my heart. I find myself tempted heavily. I am experiencing great triumphs and failures. However, God in his wisdom has given me James 1. I have been pulling it apart over the past week, and am not done yet. What I have gained is that we have the ability, in Christ Jesus, to rejoice in our trials and temptations. We may do so for many reasons. First off, due to the victory we have in Christ. We may assume the position despite our condition.
During the Korean War, enemy forces were advancing on a military unit known as the Baker Company. This unit was cut off from the rest of the regiment, and for several hours, no word was heard, even after repeated attempts to communicate with them.
Finally, headquarters picked up a faint signal. Straining to hear each word, the radio operator asked, "Baker Company, do you read me?"
"This is Baker Company."
"Baker Company, what is your situation?"
"The enemy is to the east of us. The enemy is to the west of us. The enemy is to the north of us, and the enemy is to the south of us . . . and we are not going to let them escape this time!"
Just as Baker Company was surrounded, we too are surrounded, and just as their attitude reflected ultimate victory, so also must ours.
Spiritual warfare has been extremely high since I've gotten back. Thankfully, I have an eye for it now. Sin is no longer a meaningless stumblingblock in my eyes. It is an obstacle set before me to keep me from reaching the high ground. The more I am tempted, the more I know that I am close to obtaining my objective. The enemies forces are great, but by the blood of the lamb, not only am I forgiven, but granted the victory!
James also informs us that the more we are tempted and tried, the more we mature spiritually. As we begin to overcome obstacles we are benefitted by greater endurance and perseverence. This works patience in our hearts, and our faith is refined. This is good news. When we face off with the enemy, we may be pushed back in battle, but we can rejoice with the assurance that the Commander of the Army of the Lord goes before us.
In my sin, I am weak. Yet in my weakness then I am strong. For it is by being made weak in sin, do I realize that He is with me, and greater is He that is in me, than he who is in the world. Occasionaly it takes casualty for these to become more than just words on a page.
My struggles are great, because victory is before me. With any battle, there are casualties, but I am certain that the Lord is testing me, for the sake of a testimony. Sin is never justified, but it can be harnessed for the glory of God. If my life is ever absent of temptation and trial then I can be certain I am not living for the Lord. Romans 5:20 tells us, "The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." Thank God for his triumphant grace... I tend to fall when I ignore orders and enter the battle alone. However, Joy is this; When I sin, I am brought closer to the Lord in utter dependence on His grace.
It is certainty, according to James, that these trials will add to my spiritual maturity, and sanctification will have it's work in me. This is by no means an invitation to sin, moreover, it is an encouragement to take heart. For when temptation becomes overbearing I am merely entering one of the enemies strongholds. I Count it joy! The Lord has delivered the enemy into thine hands. I encourage you to stand firm, endure, persevere... Suffer casualty, but do not allow the line to break! Victory is imminent, but it is not yours without a struggle. You're surrounded, but with the Lord of Hosts before you, the enemy has no escape. Stand up, Stand strong, Stand together.
Since returning from my trip, I have been exposed to various emotions. Initially I was broken. Not knowing if or when I would ever see my missionary friends again. This brought great anguish. I justified this emotion by ackowledging that I would much rather spend eternity with my new friends as opposed to another day on this earth. I have embraced the priviledge to even have had these people brought into my life, for they will welcome me at the heavenly gates the day I leave this world. However, I still suffer.
Pride was the next element I had to battle. Communicating a life changing experience to your everyday friends and family is rough without seeming boastful. I was determined to adhere to my leadership mentality and in doing so may have come across as overly motivational. My mind is still concentrated on the dying world around me, but it breaks my heart to see others not as motivated as myself to make a difference. Once you experience God break down a language barrier to glorify Himself, it's hard to remain complacent. If he can work salvations through us to a foreign people group just imagine what he could do with those of the same! Not only is it difficult to motivate those around me, I find their lack of motivation demotivational. As a result, I still suffer.
Lastly, the wantonness of everyday life has made it's way back into my heart. I find myself tempted heavily. I am experiencing great triumphs and failures. However, God in his wisdom has given me James 1. I have been pulling it apart over the past week, and am not done yet. What I have gained is that we have the ability, in Christ Jesus, to rejoice in our trials and temptations. We may do so for many reasons. First off, due to the victory we have in Christ. We may assume the position despite our condition.
During the Korean War, enemy forces were advancing on a military unit known as the Baker Company. This unit was cut off from the rest of the regiment, and for several hours, no word was heard, even after repeated attempts to communicate with them.
Finally, headquarters picked up a faint signal. Straining to hear each word, the radio operator asked, "Baker Company, do you read me?"
"This is Baker Company."
"Baker Company, what is your situation?"
"The enemy is to the east of us. The enemy is to the west of us. The enemy is to the north of us, and the enemy is to the south of us . . . and we are not going to let them escape this time!"
Just as Baker Company was surrounded, we too are surrounded, and just as their attitude reflected ultimate victory, so also must ours.
Spiritual warfare has been extremely high since I've gotten back. Thankfully, I have an eye for it now. Sin is no longer a meaningless stumblingblock in my eyes. It is an obstacle set before me to keep me from reaching the high ground. The more I am tempted, the more I know that I am close to obtaining my objective. The enemies forces are great, but by the blood of the lamb, not only am I forgiven, but granted the victory!
James also informs us that the more we are tempted and tried, the more we mature spiritually. As we begin to overcome obstacles we are benefitted by greater endurance and perseverence. This works patience in our hearts, and our faith is refined. This is good news. When we face off with the enemy, we may be pushed back in battle, but we can rejoice with the assurance that the Commander of the Army of the Lord goes before us.
In my sin, I am weak. Yet in my weakness then I am strong. For it is by being made weak in sin, do I realize that He is with me, and greater is He that is in me, than he who is in the world. Occasionaly it takes casualty for these to become more than just words on a page.
My struggles are great, because victory is before me. With any battle, there are casualties, but I am certain that the Lord is testing me, for the sake of a testimony. Sin is never justified, but it can be harnessed for the glory of God. If my life is ever absent of temptation and trial then I can be certain I am not living for the Lord. Romans 5:20 tells us, "The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." Thank God for his triumphant grace... I tend to fall when I ignore orders and enter the battle alone. However, Joy is this; When I sin, I am brought closer to the Lord in utter dependence on His grace.
It is certainty, according to James, that these trials will add to my spiritual maturity, and sanctification will have it's work in me. This is by no means an invitation to sin, moreover, it is an encouragement to take heart. For when temptation becomes overbearing I am merely entering one of the enemies strongholds. I Count it joy! The Lord has delivered the enemy into thine hands. I encourage you to stand firm, endure, persevere... Suffer casualty, but do not allow the line to break! Victory is imminent, but it is not yours without a struggle. You're surrounded, but with the Lord of Hosts before you, the enemy has no escape. Stand up, Stand strong, Stand together.
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