Memoirs from India: Day 2

September 1st

"Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10)

Have you ever felt like you were someplace, but weren't exactly sure why? There are obvious reasons of course; like the choice to make the journey, the time put into preparation, and so on, but once you're there you get this sinking feeling that maybe you're not experiencing or seeing what you thought you would. It's almost like you're missing something, but you're not sure what that "something" is supposed to be. That's how I've felt today.

Upon more reflection, I did take into consideration the exhaustion and jet-lag factors (we are 10.5 hrs. ahead), the heat, and adjusting to a new and foreign environment. But it [my sense about this] was deeper than that...

Our team sat in on the pastor's conference today where Stuart, Dick, and Jill each gave presentations - sermons really - to encourage, teach, and challenge the pastors (and lay leaders). It was great to sit in and hear their messages. They made it look easy! Everyone speaks english so there isn't really a language barrier, except for the deep Indian accents. What was really amazing is that neither of them [Stuart, Dick, and Jill] knew until today, what they'd be speaking on... and each of them banged it out in 1.5 hr. sermons - 1 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon (all together).

Stuart preached out of Ephesians 1, and discussed the notion of being "in Christ". He challenged that we became what we are because of Christ. In other words, we who are Christ followers are given all spiritual blessings as we are saved through faith in Jesus, which are nurtured as that relationship grows. He taught about calling and that this is two-fold:
1) We are called to relationship with Christ
2) We are to carry out the work that God has set aside for me/us to do so His story may be completed.
He reminded us that we are Christ's inheritance that he loves unconditionally. Stuart said that God's people sometimes have a lack of confidence, or hope, because they forget who they've become in Jesus' eyes. He said the way to combat that is to remember that God gives us the strength we need to follow through with God's plan for our lives.

Dick spoke on leadership, based on Psalm 78. He touched on a critical issue for pastors and leaders - the issue of integrity. He taught that we need integrity in 5 key areas:
- Speech
- Have an attitude of integrity
- Have an attitude of gratitude
- Relationships
- Motives
- Actions
He reminded us to do the right things for the right reasons.

Jill spoke from Isaiah 26 and 2 Chronicles 26:5, and focused on encouragement. She challenged us to go to God first before we go to others, or busy ourselves with work when troubles come our way. She challenged us to teach others to fear the Lord. She said that stretching ourselves to things that seem too big gives God the opportunity to work in powerful ways, humbling us before His might and providence. An emphasis was put on honest, real, and transparent communication with God, and learning to repent. She encouraged us to remember that God doesn't call people to things they're not equipped for. In the end, she challenged us to surrender to the call of God without condition.

After meeting some of the pastors, playing with some of the kids from the grade school, and a debrief with our team, I came to the conclusion that coming on this endeavor to India falls in line with what God has been speaking to me for much of this year: It's not all that important to God what I'm doing for him, but that he's more concerned with who I'm becoming in my relationship with him. That this trip is part of a molding, shaping, and transforming process he's already been working on - to change me more and more, little by little, into his likeness. I am here in India to observe, learn, listen, and serve where needed with [our team] and O.M. (Jill taught me about the ministry of "presence" - I think this is one thing I'm learning here.)