So, I really should have posted on this almost two weeks ago, but I didn't.
Actually, I'm actually kind of glad I didn't post right after Grace's STM send off. I have had time to let the thoughts kind of "ruminate" in my head.
We heard from two different speakers during our meeting, but the points I'd like to focus on deal with "4 Attitudes of Christ". They of course are not the only "attitudes" of Christ, but instead deal with the main ones we need to have during our STM.
4 Attitudes of Christ
- Attitude of Humility
- Humbly recognize you're not a missions expert
- Your team leader is in charge and needs help and support
- Recognize you're not there to promote US culture
- Be grateful for everything you get
- Attitude of Service
- Be service minded
- Have an attitude of serving the people you're ministering to "How can I serve them?"
- Serve the missionaries
- Serve your team
- Attitude of Love
- Don't seek out all the good tasks, seek the hard tasks
- Be willing to do whatever your team leader asks, and don't be the problem/difficult person
- Love the missionary by doing what they ask
- Serve for God's glory and not your own
- Attitude of Purpose
- Be a light; represent Christ
- Take advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel - this is your purpose, don't forget it
- Use your time wisely; Don't be doing your personal things
- Maintain your purpose in ministry - you're there to serve, do the task at hand
- Don't view STMs as an opportunity to exercise your Christian liberties
All of the "attitudes" really stuck home, however the "attitude" of humility always gets me. It got me when I went through Philippians with my college group and it got me again. There is an exceeding necessity for humility, not just in our short term ministries, but life in general... And silly me I thought I was more humble than I really am, and this really slapped me in the face last week. It's really never a good thing to think yourself humble, or even kind of humble, because promptly after that your pride will hit you in the face and it won't be nice or even the least bit pleasant. *stinkin' pride - I loathe thee*
I have thought a lot about Jesus, God Himself, totally humbling Himself and becoming man, but I have never really thought about the fact that He it would have been humbling enough for Him to come as a human king. Yet He didn't do that. He humbled Himself and made Himself like the lowest of men, born into a poor family, and in a manger no less. He was born basically in a barn full of animals. Animals don't smell good, in fact in general they stink. a. lot. I mean think about it, if He wanted He could have been born in an actual building with four walls, a roof and a door, real beds. Instead, He chose to be born in a cave, with animals, in a feeding trough no less. And I can't even humble myself and serve my family cheerfully? I sicken myself. Jesus, God Almighty, covered His glory, lowered Himself and became man and I can't even come close to being as humble as He is. Ouch. Major ouch.
And then I got this in an email I subscribe to, “The things that crucify Christ and wreck the whole world are the common sins of every day — self-centeredness, pride, apathy, cynicism, slackness, unkindness, every temptation put in another’s path, every wasted opportunity, every pitiful compromise of which we are ashamed — these are the nails and the spear-thrust and the cross. And will anyone deny, with Jesus hanging there, that sin is the critical enemy, the most dangerous insatiable thing in the world, and that he personally needs to be forgiven?” - James S. Stewart, A Faith to Proclaim
Seriously. I am pathetic.
You know, the only thing that gives me the least bit of comfort is that verse that says, when we are weak, we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). And I am weak. I am sooo (to borrow a term from Curtis) weaksauce. Although in context the verse is talking about delighting in weakness, hardships, persecutions and difficulties - something I have a really hard time doing. Anyways, I am nothing and that encourages me, because I know that it's all Christ in me that does any good work. For this I am thankful. God is good in all and through all. I just thought I'd add that I am so thankful for the theology He's allowed me to learn and start to apply in my life, it is so eye opening, life changing and comforting during life's tough times.
Anyway, as time goes on I may post more on the other "attitudes" of Christ, but I think I've said enough for today.
Sarah out.
I have thought a lot about Jesus, God Himself, totally humbling Himself and becoming man, but I have never really thought about the fact that He it would have been humbling enough for Him to come as a human king. Yet He didn't do that. He humbled Himself and made Himself like the lowest of men, born into a poor family, and in a manger no less. He was born basically in a barn full of animals. Animals don't smell good, in fact in general they stink. a. lot. I mean think about it, if He wanted He could have been born in an actual building with four walls, a roof and a door, real beds. Instead, He chose to be born in a cave, with animals, in a feeding trough no less. And I can't even humble myself and serve my family cheerfully? I sicken myself. Jesus, God Almighty, covered His glory, lowered Himself and became man and I can't even come close to being as humble as He is. Ouch. Major ouch.
And then I got this in an email I subscribe to, “The things that crucify Christ and wreck the whole world are the common sins of every day — self-centeredness, pride, apathy, cynicism, slackness, unkindness, every temptation put in another’s path, every wasted opportunity, every pitiful compromise of which we are ashamed — these are the nails and the spear-thrust and the cross. And will anyone deny, with Jesus hanging there, that sin is the critical enemy, the most dangerous insatiable thing in the world, and that he personally needs to be forgiven?” - James S. Stewart, A Faith to Proclaim
Seriously. I am pathetic.
You know, the only thing that gives me the least bit of comfort is that verse that says, when we are weak, we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). And I am weak. I am sooo (to borrow a term from Curtis) weaksauce. Although in context the verse is talking about delighting in weakness, hardships, persecutions and difficulties - something I have a really hard time doing. Anyways, I am nothing and that encourages me, because I know that it's all Christ in me that does any good work. For this I am thankful. God is good in all and through all. I just thought I'd add that I am so thankful for the theology He's allowed me to learn and start to apply in my life, it is so eye opening, life changing and comforting during life's tough times.
Anyway, as time goes on I may post more on the other "attitudes" of Christ, but I think I've said enough for today.
Sarah out.
