Pre-trip devotion: SHARE

Learn their story; tell mine

Some people are great storytellers by nature.  Others have to work at it.  But one thing is for sure, people love to hear a story.  Telling stories is a way of life in many cultures.  When I show interest in the story of someone I meet from another culture, I may win a new friend.  I need to listen to people's stories....then be ready to tell my own. 

Loving Hearts Baby Home, Bethany Children's Village, Restoration Gateway are not strangers to North American visitors.  They are each blessed with a strong support network of short- and long-term volunteers from various countries, but many are from the US.  Even so, some people might be curious and will want to know why I have come.  How will I answer?  "To work on a building" or "to teach a class" may be appropriate/accurate answers, but I've been challenged to view this as an opportunity to articulate more than the obvious.  Maybe this is an open door to share the spiritual dimension of my answer!  Especially if my story includes some details on how Christ has motivated me to serve.  

Paul doesn't mince words when we provides pointed encouragement in 1 Peter 3:15: 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

And we receive some serious words of instruction and conviction again from Paul as he challenges his young disciple, Timothy, to be an example for the church.  

1 Timothy 4:12-16

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture**, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
 ¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

In what ways should Timothy/I be an example? 

Timothy was a young pastor.  It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth.  He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity.  Regardless of his/my age, God can use him/me!  Whether I am young or old, I shouldn't think of my age as a handicap.  I've been reflecting on this all afternoon; I don't consider my physical age to be a handicap... I'm not as young in real-life as I am in my mind. =)  But I do find myself considering whether spiritual age is a handicap. Some days I feel right on target, and other days far from "perfect" (on those days I'm far from EITHER definition of perfect that I wrote about in the last devotion).  Regardless of where I am in my walk with the Lord, I can contribute to this team and to this trip if I submit to His will.  

Timothy was also called to be an example in the way he used his spiritual gifts.  As a young leader in a church that had a lot of problems, Timothy may have felt intimidated.  But the elders and prophets encouraged him and charged him to use his spiritual gift responsibly.  What gifts and abilities has God given me?  As I contemplate this particular question today, I want to also consider how I will use that gift in my daily life and it special times of service, such as this trip to Uganda.  

**This afternoon I took my bible and my book of devotionals to Lulu's for some coffee and sunshine while I read and prayed.  I was just beginning to dig in to this passage in Timothy (the study notes that come with my bible are really enlightening!) when a Lulu's employee stopped by my table to see what the Cox family was up to.  He realized I was reading my bible, paused, and then asked if I was preparing for anything special.  We had a brief, but rich, conversation and I was able to share more about this trip to Uganda as well as our joy at finding a wonderful church here in Indianapolis.  I was struck by His not-so-subtle timing as I turned back to the passage and picked up where I left off.... "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture".  =)

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I plan to take more time this week to consider "my story".  It probably won't include a description of when I first came to Christ (I can't remember a time when I didn't know Christ as my savior), but will rather be related to later events in my journey of faith.  

CJ provides the following guidance as you consider "your story", and I want to provide that here for any readers and for our own family history.  I think it's pivotal to be intentional in my faith, and I intend to think about my story in the context of my professional environment, my neighborhood interactions, my investment in our new church, and the trip to Uganda.  

"It is always good to think of your audience.  As you begin to work on your story, think of the things you have in common with those you are going to serve.  There are many universal aspect to life like family, school, work, marriage, etc.  There are also the universal themes of life like the pursuit of happiness, peace of mind, individual dignity, security, etc.  There are negative themes that plague all of us, like the hose of sins that we deal with or feelings like fear, anger, or disappointment.  These matters touch everyone... regardless of your place on the planet.  

Some questions to answer as you work on your story:

1. How did I realize my need for a Savior  or  how did Jesus meet me in my time of need?
2. How can I clearly explain how to accept God's love and forgiveness through my story?
3. What difference have I experienced in my life because of accepting God's love and forgiveness?
4. What are some of my negative attitudes, actions and motivations that have changed?"

 Lord, Please grant me wisdom and discernment as I write my unique - yet universal - story.  Guide me to include the works and words that might touch hurting hearts.  Let it be an opportunity for me to sit humbly as I consider the times You have rescued me, protected me, healed me, and blessed me beyond measure.  I want to be BOLD for You!  

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

MaryAnn