Thoughts at the 4-Year Benchmark

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.” 
~ Walter Elliott (1842-1942) Clergyman, Author

Four years ago this day, Brian and I arrived in Rome to start a new chapter in our lives. The Lord had called us to this great city, so we came with hearts full of expectation. I’ve been reflecting on this anniversary, going back in my mind to the start of this journey – filled with wonder at God’s faithfulness to us. Bolstered by the support of our leadership and partners in the U.S. we were encouraged to take risks for the sake of the Gospel in this unknown field. And even though we came alone to Rome, God’s Word also reassured us, “…for I (the Lord) have many people in this city” (Acts 18:10). Embarking on this new path we carried with us the countless ways in which we’d seen the Lord’s power and grace on previous journeys. So we came to Rome, to a host of “unknowns” and a difficult uphill climb.  But climb we did, and the Lord has amazed us by sending His people on our path to spur us on and accompany us on the journey. Perseverance comes one step at a time.

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fail, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice. Up again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble. ”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882); Philosopher, Poet

Oh we’ve surely made mistakes and stumbled along the road!  It’s messy this business of being humbled and reshaped, and we have the cuts and bruises to show from the rocky road. But, by God’s grace we get up and learn from it. When our kids would fall and get hurt, we parents would joke (by the 3rd kid, maybe not with the 1st): “Is he bleeding from the head? No? He’s fine.” Our 3rd child even proved that a head wound was not a game-stopper! Patch it up, carry on. No regrets. Stay in the game.

"No great thing is created suddenly."
~ Epictetus (Greek Stoic philosopher, 1st century)

Missions is messy, risky, and oh-so-slow. There are no short-cuts, no magic bullets, and no easy formulas. Here are some reasons why: One, God has sovereignly granted free will to persons not yet in the faith, and He is patient just as each individual is unique. Two, He intends to work through His Church to transform lives forever, and it takes time to cultivate a truly organic, healthy community of Christ-followers – especially where there were none. Three, because we ourselves have so much to learn, and so much breaking down to do before we can build up. But it is definitely worth the sacrifice, then, to stand back and see God break through and do a new thing in our midst. This is the pearl of great price: to participate in the mystery of God saving souls. As sudden as the breakthrough is (by definition), it is the result of perseverance, patience, struggle, surrender, and faith over the long haul.
 
“I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.”
~ The Apostle Paul in Letter to the Philippians 3:14 (Message)

We feel in our spirits that even though we’ve been at it for 4 years, we’ve only just begun. Counting on His mercy, we lay the regret about opportunities we wasted at the foot of the Cross. We take it on faith that in God’s economy, this is as it must be and that He wastes nothing. It is such a privilege to serve the King of Kings in a foreign land.  With expectants hearts, a renewed sense of Call, and a holy host of witnesses and companions in the journey, we carry on. No turning back.