As the Rain and Snow

Last week was less intense than before, but it was every bit as busy. City of Hope did a VBS with the help of a mission team from Kentucky, and two kids from the community were saved. Praise the Lord! City of Hope assigned two young, maturing leaders in the youth group to mentor the converts. Ben called the mentors "prayer partners," and the goal is to have the mentors and the learners grow by praying together, studying the bible together, and bonding together in love and spiritual accountability. I love the idea! Not only does it help the young in Christ grow, but it develops two future leaders of the church.

Wednesday, on the other side of the city, we helped Dan Graham's missional community group with the community garden they spearhead. Basically, the purpose of missional community groups is to meet together regularly, intentionally bonding in love while tangibly serving the city. Gateway West holds these meetings in place of Sunday evening services, to show that the great commission is fulfilled by going out rather than just inviting in.

In the garden, Daniel and I relocated a pile of debris and edged the sidewalk. Later, the whole missional community gathered in the garden, enjoyed lemonade and watermelon, and weeded ALL of the plots (regardless of whether it was one of ours or not). Looking over the garden, with some plants fully mature, others new babes, and still some not yet surfaced, I was reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11...

For just as rain and snow fall from heaven

and do not return there

without saturating the earth

and making it germinate and sprout,

and providing seed to sow

and food to eat,

11 

so My word that comes from My mouth

will not return to Me empty,

but it will accomplish what I please

and will prosper in what I send it to do.  

It is incredibly easy to become discouraged when serving God. More often than not, ministry doesn't move at the pace we want it to or accomplish the exact goal we want it to. Yet, if we truly trust God's word, we know that our obedience is making an impact. By living out God's word in deed and speech, we are remaining faithful to the promise that God provides the harvest. Because of our weakened bodies, we will become frustrated and tired- it's to be expected. However, when that happens, we are able to learn what it means to rest in Christ and to trust Him as the source of all success. Some results we may see grow to maturity, but others will remain underground for a future harvester to gather. As Paul said, God makes it all grow. 

We must be faithful to go out. Those who have a deep relationship with Him inevitably learn that love, obedience, and boldness is the key to true ministry. God's word will accomplish its purpose in due time. Until then, we trust and obey.