Tuesday, May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

               Lately I’ve been meditating on the idea of “spiritual growth” in the life of a believer and what that really means.  I think we often use that phrase in reference to growth in obedience to a set of rules or in adherence to a set of disciplines (prayer, contemplation, Bible intake, evangelism, etc.) but that definition, when tested, is found lacking.  When I fail, am impatient with my family, covet what other people have, or even more blatant sins that happen in public or private, my first response is “I should be praying more!  I should be reading the Bible more!” but is that really a Christian response?  I think the self-reliance that is exposed in such responses is a form of pride so subtle that we often miss it, but is quite profound. 
               As I’ve gone through a study on these ideas with my pastor from Lawrence, I’ve realized more that “spiritual growth” really involves a growing realization and understanding of the depth of my sin (even my spiritual disciplines come from proud self-reliance!) and at the same time, growing in my understanding of God’s holiness and “Otherness” as one who is so far removed from the depravity that so subtly makes up my character. 
               The danger I’ve noticed in myself as I meditate on the widening realization of this gap is that it always brings me back to self-reliance.  I should be trying harder!  I should be … what?  The only answer to the broadening, infinite gap between my sin and God’s holiness is a broadening, infinite understanding of the cross of Christ which still bridges the gap.  My response to my failure and sin should be to run back to the cross and cling to it, and grow in my love and appreciation for what Jesus accomplished on that cross!  My obedience, discipline, striving for a growing sanctification, all come out of that relationship that Christ forged on the cross, but those things never make me more or less acceptable to God…Jesus has already finished that work.


Family Update

               We’ve move out of our Kansas City house, traveled a few thousand miles, got all of our belongings packed in trucks or disposed of, and are ready to go!  We’re staying with friends in St. Louis until our departure on June 6th.  We’ll get to Uganda where Amy and the kids are going to stay for a bit while Justin works on our home in the village.  Pray that:
  •            God will provide for all of our “last minute” expenses that are impossible to plan for!
  •         The work on our house will finish quickly
  •         The kids will do well with the time change, new places, new friends, new sicknesses (especially Caleb who’s never been to Africa!)

Lopit Update


               Lately we’ve been hearing more news about famine and starvation in our area.  It’s a problem all throughout South Sudan, and seems to happen on some scale every year, but with the ongoing war things are exacerbated.  Aid gets spread thin and hyper-inflation makes it impossible for people to pull themselves out.  One report suggests that up to ¼ of the people in our village have left to refugee camps because of food shortage.  Pray that:
  • The gospel would change our country's leaders
  • God would provide a way for the Lopit, especially the church, to stay in their homes.
As always, thanks for praying and feel free to share this!

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb