Your Lifesong
"Lord I give my life - A living sacrifice - To reach a world in need - To be Your hands and feet - So may the words I say - And the things I do - Make my lifesong sing - Bring a smile to You" - Lifesong, Casting Crowns
I have been listening to Casting Crowns on my ipod & have been encouraged by their cover song- Lifesong. And while listening, I had some thoughts.
I use to have the impression that there were two kinds of believers, those who serve the Lord in ministry & those who have secular jobs, each with their own tasks. I use to think that missionaries were people who go into the world to share the message of Christ with non-believers. And the rest were not called to go into the world but could pray, encourage, invest in those who do or live vicariously through them. What I discovered is that every believer in Christ is commanded by God to go into the world & serve Him (Matt.28:19-20), but believe some have lost sight of what "world" means.
I believe "world" means the current sphere of influence God has given us. Rob Bell said it best in his book, Velvet Elvis, "it is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus & you are doing what you do in His name, then it is no longer secular work, but it's sacred. You are there. God is there. The difference is our awareness."
I believe we all have the same full-time vocational ministry to share the source of all creation, God, to everyone-our friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, whomever God puts in our lives to make Him known & us less known.
And so, I want to thank you for singing your lifesong with me & encourage you to continue singing your lifesong with those who are in your sphere of influence. We are all called!
Mike
Transitions
I recently met with key people involved in my current & new ministry to work out some of the logistics & details regarding my new role, & have provided some information.
All Grown Up
This past year has been a blessing & blast to spend it with 6 amazing guys. Five of them will graduate this coming year & would ask you for their prayers.
E-team
Serving overseas can be hard at times, but some friends, Scott & Angie, have decided to make it easier by leading my encouragement team for the next year.
Prayers
Thanks for your prayers! I'd ask that you please continue to pray for the transitional phase of my ministry, wisdom to make solid-Christ like decisions, for our upcoming summer camps & for protection against temptations!
