This posting is from Terry Carr Bracey, our trip organizer.
May 5 - Let No One Despise You
1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you
are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in
faith and in purity."
Oh how this scripture speaks to me and over the last few years I have come
to realize that it can greatly impact others while on the mission field,
regardless of the insecurity they may be battling. When I began leading teams to
Guatemala several years ago, I quickly was hit with the realization that for
now, I am often the youngest person on the team. More often than not, those that
I lead to and in Guatemala are older than I am. Some are older by decades. I
have to be honest and say that for a while it intimidated me because I wondered
what my older (and surely more wise) teams must have been thinking.
"She is so much younger than us. What makes her think she can lead?" "Are
we really safe under her leadership?" "Who does she think she is, telling us
what we should and should not do?"
It turns out that not one time has anyone ever had these questions. I am my
own worst enemy. What is interesting is that on every team there are people that
have the same kind of thoughts, just not always about being younger than
everyone else. (Little note: I'm not THAT young. I'm 32 and started leading
teams to Guatemala when I was 28.)
Some thoughts that others have had before and during their trips:
"The rest of the team is so young. I'm afraid I won't fit in."
"I'm a single mother...going on a mission trip?"
"What will I be able to contribute? I have no missions experience."
But here's the thing. God called you to this trip.
Why did He call you? Was it for all of your ministry experience, your
speaking abilities, your construction abilities, your theological
training?
No. Your qualification is that God's presence is in your life and you have
made yourself available to Him. You may have some other skills and abilities
that He will use during your trip, but God's passion is for the nations to be
drawn to Him. God wants to exhibit Himself to the people He is sending you to
and will use an available servant like you, just as you are. One of my favorite
sayings is, "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called." He called
you
and because of that He will give you all you need to carry out His
purpose.
If you fear that you have some limiting factor, whether it is physical, a
lack of experience or some life circumstance, listen to the voice of the Lord
and hear Him saying to you that YOU may be the one looking down on yourself and
it needs to stop. Right now. This team needs you because you are the only that
can carry out the purpose that He has specifically called you to.
God, thank You that before I was born, you knew me. You set me apart
for Your purposes and I am responding to this stirring that You put in my heart
to go to the mission field. Because taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth
is Your idea, help me to resist all temptation to focus on my personal
limitations and help me not to care what others who know me might think. I am
Your servant and I trust that You have given me all I need to serve on this
mission.
With Gratitude,
Sondra
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