God's call to Missions

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This past week and weekend I was blessed to participate in the Missions Get Together 2024 in Brentwood, Tennessee. About 550 women from all over the state gathered to be encouraged, strengthened, and equipped in our walk with God. Numerous breakouts, corporate worship, updates from missionaries, and our keynote speaker all worked together along with fellowship with ladies from my church and others to make it a special time. 

Our keynote speaker was Brenda Croston and she spoke on 1 Peter 4:7-11 ESV - The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

At the last talk, Brenda said she wanted us to be careful that when we serve God we are not doing it for God, but from God. At first, that may sound strange, but as I thought about it, and as she explained, it became clear. She was talking about our tendency as Christians to be so busy doing "God's work" for Him, that we forget that we can't accomplish His purposes fully unless the Holy Spirit is working through us.

Ouch! That is a struggle. I am constantly looking for ways to serve God and stay busy with a variety of ministries. It is a challenge to make sure I am not going before Him or without Him, but letting Him lead the way. One of the keys I've found is to cover the work in prayer.

Bathing His work in prayer helps me remember to lay things down and trust God to do the work however He sees fit. It's far too easy to get caught up in my desires and expectations for whatever the work is, and forget that being obedient to His call is what He expects of me and the rest is on Him.

As I share ministry ideas with you, I hope that it will encourage you and stir your mind and heart to look at the great things that God is doing. You may or may not be stirred to participate in the same ministries as you pray and let God lead you to the things He wants to do through you. 1 Peter 4:10 bears repeating: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another . . . " Each of God's people has been gifted. What are your gifts and how is God leading you?

Keep in mind that through the years God may bring out different gifts or add to your gifts as He has new directions He wants to point you in. Be open to His guidance. For example, though I have always been creative, God didn't guide me into writing until I was almost fifty! 

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