Forge Ahead!

I believe we live in a spiritual world where the moment we become Christians we become participants in a battle for the hearts and lives of those who don't know Jesus. Depending upon how engaged we choose to be, we may encounter obvious resistance. While the temptation is great to cut our losses and run, the call of God is to forge ahead and the reward is great.

Trent and I have encountered this a couple times this week.

Forge Ahead Example #1-

On Friday morning, our church sent a group to England for a week-long mission trip to share the truth in a school there. The problem is that after being delayed leaving Houston, they missed their flight in Atlanta and had to spend the night. The next day they caught a late flight out but got stuck in Toronto because of a mistake on Delta's part. They also discovered in Toronto that their luggage was all missing. Tempted to call it quits, they spent the night in Toronto and decided to forge ahead. During the flight to Amsterdam, one of the team members became very ill and was medicated in the Amsterdam airport before being placed on a plane for England. She continued to be ill and had to be hospitalized upon arriving in England today. Trent has spent much of his weekend dealing with this craziness. So the team is now in England, without clothes, one in the hospital, 2 days late, ready to do the work they feel called to do.

There were several points along the way that they could of quit, but the call of God was greater than the opposition (and it always is). I told Trent that there must be an incredible kid in that school who has not heard the name of Jesus yet because Satan is working overtime to keep it from happening. You can pray for their work this week.

Forge Ahead Example #2

Last week we started a new thing with Jack where every morning he would choose one friend to pray for. We encouraged him to look around his classroom for a kid who looked like they were struggling in some way. We prayed for that child and then talked about ways that Jack could be an encourager to them. It was a really sweet time and I think that God is using that to teach Jack to see God moving in the world around him.

So of course he had a really bad day on Friday. Other than some anxiety about fire drills, Jack doesn't have bad days at school, but he got accused of something that was clearly not him and then it just got worse. Instead of explaining what happened, he broke down over the idea that he was wrongly accused and made it worse. He came home in tears and has not wanted to go back. Friday night I had to explain to Jack that he made a big step this week in praying individually for friends at school and trying to minister to them. The ridiculous situation that he experienced Friday was most likely the work of the Enemy to distract him and make him want to run. I explained to Jack that the right thing to do is pray harder and go back ready to be the person God has called him to be (and handle it better too).

I was nervous about how he would respond. My sweet 7-year old looked at me and said, "Mom when I grow up, I want to be a missionary." I love that boy and his heart!

FINALLY

When we were waiting for Ruthie, there were so many days when it felt like more than I could bear and I just wanted to say, "Never mind!" However, this community helped me to forge on and the reward was greater than I could ever imagine. So whether you're waiting on a child, struggling in a marriage, or coming up against the Enemy in some other way, my encouragement to you is to forge ahead because...

... he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 1 Peter 2:21

BLESSINGS MY FRIENDS! FORGE AHEAD!

Today's Side Note: The weather has been beautiful here so we took the kids to the park for a picnic (and for mommy to practice shooting manually). I love Ruthie's expression in the 2nd picture.