Fran's Mission Moment #3

Mission Moment #3
Nov. 1, 2007

Some days are full of the evidence of God’s presence at work. Or maybe, it’s just that some days, I’m more in tune and therefore, aware of the evidence of His presence at work. Yesterday was one of those days. Lecture days are always a great blessing and days of His evident presence, but this day revealed increased blessings like a snowball rolling and collecting more snow.

As I visited a group fellowship that day, the ladies shared a variety of ways that God is at work in their lives through the Matthew study. One of the portions of study this week convicted many as we learned the dangers and damage of anger. Jesus says anger is subject to judgment just as murder (Matt 5:21-22). One lady shared about a recent incident that had angered her. She wept as she shared, saying, “I don’t know why I’m crying.” Then she said, “I’m not a Christian yet”. The presence of the Lord was evident, as she was experiencing the conviction of the Holy Spirit, moving her closer towards acknowledging she is a sinner, in need of a Savior. Every day she reads her bible, and in the Gospel of Matthew, she is meeting Jesus – the Only One who can save her from sin, giving her forgiveness and declaring her righteous into eternity! Praise God for one whose eyes are beginning to open to the truth and is so close to salvation!

Then later, I went to meet my physical therapist for dinner. I spent a year in physical therapy with PT Karen, and in that time we became good friends, and of course she has heard the gospel as a result of numerous conversations. She had a baby at the end of August, and last night was my opportunity to meet her precious baby boy. I feel so blessed that she wanted to meet me for dinner, bringing along her mother in law, her sister in law, and niece. This speaks volumes in this culture, for a foreigner to be accepted into one’s family. Of course with my limited Chinese skills, conversations remained somewhat shallow with the family members. However, it was a joy to observe family interaction, and the loving care of the grandmother for her grand children. [Culturally, the grandparents play a major roll in childrearing.]

Over a week ago, Karen asked me to give her baby boy an English name, so that night she asked, “Did you remember? Did you choose a name for my baby?” I told her “Luke is the name that keeps coming to mind”. I shared how Luke was a physician, and a writer. He wrote the gospel of Luke in the bible and he also wrote the book of Acts, which is also in the New Testament”. She liked the name, and said she will present the name to her father in law, who is the one who gave the baby his Chinese name. She thinks he will like it, since he has voiced that he hopes his grandson will become a doctor one day. I feel honored to be asked to give him his English name, assuming it meets the father in laws approval! Although Karen is not a Christian yet, she is interested in getting to know God and we have had some wonderful conversations. She is planning to reserve her Wednesday mornings so she can begin coming to BSF. I am praying that God will open her work schedule soon, and that it will be obvious that there are no patients in need of physical therapy on Wednesday mornings, so she can attend bible study without any hindrances.

Recently, I heard a sermon by Bill Hybels on Col 4:2-6. (Scroll down and find “Just Walk Across the Room”)

He used a number scale, to describe different degrees of readiness to accept Christ as personal Lord and Savior. He put it in degrees, whereas I mentally equate that with steps. Some people are 10 steps away from the cross of Jesus’ salvation, some 8, some 6, sand so on. Bill explained how God brings people into their lives as a living testimony, and he brings other life experiences (be it tragedies, trials, or blessings) as opportunities to move them closer to the cross.

As I pondered upon that, I thought of another Chinese friend. I visit Diane every 6-8 weeks for a haircut. Several missionaries have cultivated a relationship with Diane and she has heard the gospel from variable testimonies over the past few years. From my perspective, Diane has not moved any closer towards the cross of Jesus. These 3 examples helped me better understand the degrees of readiness of the human heart. Diane fits the example of one who listens, yet remains 10 steps away. Karen, my PT friend, has moved closer towards the cross in the year that I have known her. I would say, she’s about 6 steps away from the cross of Christ. The lady at class who is reading her bible diligently, had prayed and asked for God to help her with her anger, wondering “did he hear my prayer?” She represents one who is 2 steps from the cross! Only God knows the heart! When I considered this word picture, it helped me understand how God does know the heart, and as he softens hearts, he moves them in baby steps, drawing them closer to himself, the cross of Jesus. This makes my prayers more diligent, “Lord, you know what it is going to take to move these hearts towards you. I count it privilege to be in your work, and being involved in a small way, but above all, how wonderful it is to see your active presence drawing hearts towards you.”

I think if every day were like the past 24 hours, I’d be on the mountaintop shouting hallelujahs! I probably should do it anyway. Where’s the mountain?

Just a moment with:
Fran