milkshakes & missions.

After work today I drove to Burger King to get my favorite chocolate milkshake. There I am slipping my chocolate milkshake listening to a sermon about a pastor in India who had planted 32 churches and all 32 of them have been burnt down. 50 of his family members have been murdered- killed for their faith and now they are after this pastor.

Driving my car.

Drinking my milkshake.

The sobriety of The Lord touches me in that moment.

I don't know when this sermon was recorded. It could have been years ago...

... still though the gravity of the situation was there with me in the car.

Right now people are being murdered for their faith and so many more are trapped in the kingdom to darkness leading to spiritual death. 

Some have never even heard the name of Jesus.

I understand it may seem like this is all a bit dramatic but I do not live my life with an awareness of what is going on in the lives of other Christians.

I began to pray. Jesus, I am powerless and you are all powerful. Will you send your Holy Spirit without measure to the persecuted. 

I began to pray.

As simple as that. 

In the moment when the sobriety of The Lord hit me I whispered to my Father, would you help them? Would you strengthen them.

Missions is important and needed. 

But there is power in the short, secret prayers that we pray.

In the midst of drinking a milkshake.

A good follower makes a good leader.

Fully aware that I am only 21 years old with much to learn I write this post in love to encourage.

Remember when you come home and sit down to a pile of reading 7 books high and a list of names you want to pray for- God is in control.

When it hits you that behind those names are real people remember- God is in control.

If you don't know the answers to their questions, I promise you that He does.

So when the words "I am starting to feel the weight of all this heavy on my shoulders" are on your lips.

Hear His whisper, "This was never your weight to bear."

Hear Jesus say, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:25-30 ESV)

Those people on your prayer list are better off in His hands than yours. He can take care of them, perfectly, and he will use you to do so. Do not switch the roles and try to use Him so that you can take care of them.

When you take something out of God's hands and try to control it yourself, that is sin: stealing. Repent, turn back to The Lord and put it back in His hands. 

Then you will see the impossible.