"In working with young people in America, do not try to call them back to where they were, and do not try to call them to where you are, as beautiful as that place might seem to you. You must have the courage to go with them to a place that neither you nor they have ever been before."
I need to learn from the wisdom of this African missionary. I confess that a lot of my energy as a pastor is still invested in either calling young people back to where they were, or calling them to where I am. I need to step out in faith, like Abraham and Sarah.
As in Heb. 11.8 "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going."
Excellent, thought provoking post. In some ways, it reminds me of something I learned in CPE, working with dementia residents...I had to go to their reality. It was different from mine, but that was ok. Forgive me if this seems to be a poor comparison.
ReplyDeleteJesus went to the realities of whoever he was ministering to, like the woman at the well in John 4. He went to where people were, but then challenged them to embrace the reality of the kingdom of God. That's our call as well.
Blessings.