Built for Mission- Being built from the inside to go out. Jesus answered and said to him: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make a dwelling with him.” – John 15:23 (NAB)
“… You were built for mission”, was one of the last affirmations I received through text before I left for the Philippines for training. On a superficial level… Not in any way high maintenance, so giving up the straightener wasn’t a going to be big deal. Physically, I’ve been built bigger and stronger (I owe it to working in inventory). I’m totally ready to “rough it out” on a mountain somewhere. But all this self-talk didn’t mean I could withstand just the intense heat here in Manila. It knocks me out at night, my hair looks like an afro half the time, and my face is permanently sweating and red.
As a FTPW trainee, I’m being built up to take on the work of a Missionary for Couples for Christ. In my recent Metro Manila Immersion for the East A sector, I’ve initiated and conducted 1on1s, attended both YFC/SFC events, supported and given talks at Youth Camps. But close to two months into training, do I recognize that a great amount of experience in service in no way means that I can withstand whatever the demands of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) are. They, along with the pace to which they are to be fulfilled (serving in Metro Manila is like serving in Montreal x200), change all the time.
Christ wants to build me from the inside to be able to withstand going out to build His Kingdom and Church. The Gospel today (John 14:1-6) reminds me of how much Christ not only seeks to be with me, but completely in union with me. Do I give Him the time to build His dwelling place within me? A dwelling place built with easy access… For in any given moment I am asked to proclaim the Good News, in this place I can easily sense the Holy Spirit moving, giving me confidence (I CAN give this talk even if I can’t speak Tagalog), strengthening my trust in the Lord (Not me… It’s all you Lord), providing wisdom (Kinda messed up on point A, but let’s pad up point B up and we’ll be fine).
Lord, please forgive us for the times we fail to acknowledge your presence around us and within us while we are busy serving, working on building. You are the way, the truth and the life. Wherever you call us to mission (Quezon, Laguna or Batangas), may we always find a dwelling place with You. Amen.
God in me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhPeaOGoubw
Prayer for the Indwelling of the Spirit: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=334
Thank you for THIS affirmation. We have SO MUCH to talk about when you come back!!!!!!! Ask anyone from Eastern Canada who was at SHOUT. The Spirit is strong just keeps playing in my mind, because of how united this post and our experience was last week. Praise the Lord!!!!
Thea 🙂 Miss you! Thank You Holy Spirit, the unity of our experiences from both SHOUT and AITP2014! Really missing True North, and I can’t wait to catch up with you! Praise God! 😀
Ellish! let me show you my journal writings from MV SHOUT. 🙂 This is such a “God you’re so funny” moment for me.
Rayah! I can’t wait! 🙂 In turn, I’ll show you my #AITP2014 journal. It’s quite “colourful”! Hahaha!