As a missionary in a certain location, it is VERY easy to get focussed on what God is doing where you are. Its even easier to become focussed on what God needs to do where you are. I feel like I am constantly overwhelmed with the needs all around me.
In addition, as a support raised missionary I am constantly working to get people excited about what God is doing here and wanting to join Him here (whether physically or in other ways). That makes it so easy for me to forget what God is doing elsewhere.
Well, I shouldn't say I forget what God is doing everywhere. I am constantly reminded of what He is doing in poor countries, oppressed countries, or spiritually dead countries. Pretty much, I am reminded often of what God is doing outside the US. And of course, His work among the poor and oppressed in our country is often on my mind as well.
But, our God is even bigger than that! I was reminded of this today when I got an email from a friend who is teaching school in North Carolina.
She teaches at a regular, suburban, middle class school. The kind of place that I often forget needs powerful moves of God just as desperately as inner city Philadelphia.
Today, she reminded me.
This is an excerpt from her email to me:
"I was excited to teach my kids about justice, equality, civil rights, amazing people that stood up for freedom and equality. People that inspire me. People that changed our world.
Then I started teaching and I started off the lesson with "story time" and it was a book by Toni Morrison about the Civil rights movement, it was a moving book and excellent to use with high schoolers. They hated it, they made fun of the people and joked around. I had to send one to the office for making racist comments.
He said, "Dang all *iggers got real big lips" and a few other things I don't even want to repeat.
Then I assigned them each a person, movement, protest, boycott or organization that was influential to the civil rights movement. They had not even heard of the Little Rock Nine, and did not know what Brown v. Board even did. They said there still should be separate facilities. I was astonished and angry, confused, and disheartened.
I just couldn't believe this was happening.
So then I thought maybe 3rd period would be easier. They were a little better but they laughed when they saw the Selma March and the police spraying the blacks with fire hoses. They made fun of the Freedom Singers. They didn't even attempt the project."
I was so disheartened when I read this letter...she was disheartened writing it. It reminded me so much of people's desperate need for God. Not Philadelphia's need, not China's need...people's need.
She is teaching in a public school, so while her response can't be to teach them what the Bible says about racism, I know she is praying for her students and that she is working hard to change their heart and attitudes toward racism and injustice. This letter made me so thankful for her, and so many others like her, that aren't on the "mission field", but are seeking to see God glorified just as desperately as I am. She is an amazing ambassador for the Gospel and God is going to use her to change hearts and minds and turn them toward Him.
And in a lot of ways, her road is harder to travel than mine. I don't have to worry about what I say or who I say it to. She has to trust God to say the things she isn't allowed to. I am so thankful that she is willing to let God lead her on that road. People will be changed through her obedience. She has reminded me that its not about missionaries, pastors, or Sunday School workers. Its about ALL people letting God use them in whatever way He chooses.
She is letting God use her, and although its difficult, He will be glorified. Thank you for the reminder, friend. :)
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