Lessons from the Field is a series from one of our own who is serving overseas.  Please join us as we learn about what God has taught and continues to teach her as she and her family serve. To view the earlier post from Amy Lynn* click here.

5.  A New Worship – Only God deserves the pedestal!

            The inevitable will happen, the moment when the person you have come to value, appreciate, and revere, screws up and comes crashing down off the pedestal.  This scenario has happened to me more times than I wish to count because what it means at the deeper heart level, is that I have mistakenly put man in a place that belongs only to God.  It was easy to look at different leaders and be wowed by their extensive experience, longevity and biblical knowledge.  Before I knew it, these leaders had inched their way up the pedestal in my mind, replacing the spot rightfully owned by the King of kings and Lord of lords.  No one is perfect however, and sooner or later someone does something that royally ticks you off or says something without discernment.  When the revere of a person becomes more important than worshipping God, idolatry rears its ugly head, plain and simple.   Of course I should learn from others, trust their knowledge and respect their authority, but this can never be replaced by venerating them.  God is the only one who deserves the pedestal. 

            It could be something different than a person like it was for me, such as worshipping my ability to work hard.  When lack of recognition came, it was easy to make an idol out of my ability to get the job done no matter what the cost or problem.  But what I soon discovered was that rather than working unto the Lord, I worked hard to please myself and feel some sense of accomplishment.  My own abilities had a way of teasing and tempting me to worship something else.  No one recognizes over achievement the way you think they will, so I had to learn to keep my eyes focused on pleasing the Father.  I had to learn to distinguish between what was important to finish and work that was extra, simply to try and make myself look good.  He alone is the reason I work hard.  He is the only one I honor when I don’t waste time and are prepared.

            It is easy to fill your day with time wasters.  There is never a shortage of crises on the field.  Learning to triage these problems adequately brings glory and honor to God, because rather than waste time chasing a bunch of rabbits, I am able to focus on the most important task that He would have me complete in that moment.  When God is on the pedestal of my life, His guiding hand is always reaching out to direct my steps and order my life.  God is not one of chaos but of order.  He does not confuse us but makes all things clear.  When my focus changed from fulfilling my list and turned to worship and how best to please Him, the time wasters were reduced to insignificant distractions.  

6.  A Better Plan – His!

            The fact that distractions will come is very important, because what I have seen in my life, is that my mind is continually wandering away from God’s list for my day and becoming boggled down with these things.  Time is relative.  We work on His timetable and on His schedule.  Just because I want to accomplish some task for the day, does not mean that this is God’s will or plan for me.  One way I am learning to combat these distractions is to prayerfully order my day according to what I am hearing from the Lord when I am not distracted.  This means, waking early, sitting quietly and listening.  Once my list is made, I have a plan but God’s is always bigger.  If something comes along that day that I know should be accomplished in priority to my list, I can peacefully complete the work and know that God is the one in superseding the plans. 

            Actively listening to the Father is also the way I know when to speak and how to speak into the lives of my friends.  Many times in the past what I wanted was for people to listen because I had something compelling and convincing to say.  What is better is that God is the one doing the talking.  I do not have anything new to say really when it comes to sharing.  It is God’s word that is new and life changing.  Speaking with Muslims can often times be discouraging and disappointing when you try to make a point and they disagree or they use the same argument.  If I am listening with my ears only, I am tempted to fight back which produces no results and no heart change.  Rather, quieting my mouth and mind, actively listening to the deeper meaning behind their words and focusing on what the Spirit is doing, produces an ability to speak into someone’s life with truth and wisdom.  I had to learn this lesson the hard way but in the end it is always better to crucify my way and just do it His. 

            Among the more difficult lessons I have learned the last year and a half is how to do it all and not lose my mind.  You may be thinking that either I am super woman and I assure you I am far from it, or that this is an impossible task.  But as a wise author once stated, “We can accomplish everything that God has ordained for us to do in this life…and it’s probably not half of what’s on your to-do list.”  Next week, I will look at A Tight Rope Life – How to do it all, Family, Language and Ministry.  See you then!

Amy Lynn* has been married to her husband for 15 years.  He graduated last May from SEBTS with an MDIV in International Church Planting.  They are currently serving in the Middle East.  They have 4 children, ages 13, 11, 5 and 2.  Amy Lynn enjoys reading, writing and working out when she is not studying Arabic or visiting friends. 
*Name has been changed to ensure protection for our contributor. 

I heard a sermon once by Johnny Hunt on ministry.  He spoke of the many times in his life that God worked in amazing and miraculous ways, despite what he or any other human was doing at the time.  When talking about forging out into new territory in ministry he encouraged, “Never assume you know what God is doing.”  Equally important is remembering that when assumptions are made about people, work, team, locals etc, the door is open for pride, misunderstanding, misdirection and chasing rabbit trails.  I am still learning to never assume I know what God is doing, never assuming I know what is best without checking all other possibilities, and never assuming I know people completely just because I have spent some time with them or studied their religion.   

            4.  A New View of Ministry – Never assume!

                        On campus, I soaked and studied, reading extensively on Islam, the history, theology and sects.  I came storming into the field pretty arrogantly convinced that I knew just as much if not more than the average Muslim about their own faith.  Figuring I could argue logically and actually make a difference, I started language and visiting friends and neighbors.  In my extremely conservative Muslim country, I had little time to actually begin evaluating their worldview, before we were whisked off in evacuation to a neighboring country.  What I found there was shocking.  I began discovering that the veil of Islam in this other country was as thin as a gauzy curtain and beneath it was pure secularism.  I had assumed that I knew how to discuss apologetics with all Muslims because I had studied conservatism but what I found was that just like in Christianity, not all Muslims are created equal.  Rather than focus in on their religion, I had to learn to dissect their worldview and get to the heart of what they actually believed about God.   

                        When genuine relationship is replaced with numbers, figures and research, it is extremely difficult to discern and listen to the Holy Spirit.  When talking with my friends and assuming I knew how God was working in their life and then targeting that area, I found myself spinning in the same argumentative circles.  It was only when I began to shut off the academic noise and pride and really listen to where my friends were, that the Spirit opened my eyes to where He was at work.  The moment I begin to feel like I really know a person, my new rule is to dig deeper and try to discover more about their worldview and the deeper spiritual truths they are living by.

                        It was easy for me to dream and brainstorm brilliant, at least in my mind, ideas of how I could help the community around me.  However, most of the time, these ideas weren’t really helpful because they didn’t meet the real needs in the community.  I needed to get in the mix and begin serving the community in ways that people were already involved in.  What this lead to was a better understanding of the community, what was available, and who was working.  Rather than assume that the latest methodology in platform strategy or entry into a community was the best, a lot of research, interviewing and prayer is needed. 

                        As I took more of a servant role to others, I was also able to begin learning more about project development, good practices and bad practices.  There were of course the bad examples of territorialism related to projects and teams.  But I also saw teams that functioned so well together, their projects were not only blossoming but exploding.  Assuming that my way is the only way to run/organize a project or team can easily lead to lack of productivity or even missing the open door God has provided. What I found in my own life is that assuming this, very quickly led to forgetting the main thing and losing touch with strategy.  When there is no strategy, I automatically take up a defensive tactic rather than listening to the Spirit and forming an offensive strategy that is in line with where He is already working and moving. 

                        I heard one of my leaders envisioning a time when we as a team could be so intertwined in strategy with a spirit of oneness, that when one group needed help, we could all work together to help one another.  Keeping my eye on the bigger goal and larger team has helped me to never assume my project or job is more important than someone else’s. 

                        Education is an invaluable, necessary and vital part of ministry but many times this has led me to make completely unnecessary assumptions.  So remember, never assume you know what God is doing.  Never assume you have learned all there is to know about a certain people group of religion.  Never assume you know the needs just because you live somewhere.  Never assume your team/project is bigger and therefore requires more of something or someone.  Never assume you know more than God!  There is always more to learn and God uses each and everyday on the field to bring me close to Him.  This process is as much about my own sanctification as it is about “inviting a lost world to stand and clap their hands in worship for King Jesus!”*  Stay tuned in for next week, “A New Worship – Only God Deserves the Pedestal”.  

 * Scott Hildreth student lecture Fall 2009

Amy Lynn* has been married to her husband for 15 years.  He graduated last May from SEBTS with an MDIV in International Church Planting.  They are currently serving in the Middle East.  They have 4 children, ages 13, 11, 5 and 2.  Amy Lynn enjoys reading, writing and working out when she is not studying Arabic or visiting friends. 
*Name has been changed to ensure protection for our contributor. 

Lessons from the Field is a series from one of our own who is serving overseas.  Please join us as we learn about what God has taught and continues to teach her as she and her family serve. To view the earlier post from Amy Lynn* click here.

My previous employer expected new personnel to move quickly from learner to leader.  From day one, we had a saying that you should constantly be training your replacement.  As you worked, your supervisors or other higher ups would be mentoring you and teaching you to lead, especially those who showed promise for future leaders.  God has taught me many, many lessons on leadership, year after year honing my skills in a variety of ways from secular employment to leading a women’s bible study.  In many ways, there has been a certain level of pride that followed me into the field because of this.  God used this last year and half to continue humbling me and refining me, reminding me that this journey is not about thinking you have finally arrived but rather, a daily stripping away of what you hold dear in order to bring you closer to Him.  Leadership was one of the comfortable blankets wrapped in my death grip, and God has used this over and over to teach and train me.  That is why lesson #3 is:

3.  A Tight Lip – Look, Listen and Feel, Leading by Example

The first few months I was full of anticipation, remembering the things I had learned in theory and now felt ready to try out, desiring to spread my wings.  Unfortunately, this was often met with unexpected results.  Within weeks, I began to feel as though I was treated like a green shoot with no experience, rather than a 35-year-old women with 4 kids, who served in the Navy and had years of experience at home.  Talk about humbling!  It took several months for me to quit being angry about it.  I spent a lot of time complaining that I wasn’t appreciated or listened to.  I felt like my perspective and gifts were being stifled until I proved myself as a seasoned worker.  It felt unfair and I spent a lot of time judging and criticizing, rolling around in my own misery.  

I had blinded myself to what God was trying to teach me, becoming completely distracted by how I felt, rather than receiving and acknowledging that gentle nudge from the Spirit.  He had a better lesson for me to learn.  It wasn’t that He didn’t want me to lead, but I needed to learn in this season how to do it by example and through influence, while keeping my mouth closed and my eyes and ears open.  I could not learn how to become a better leader unless I spent time in observation, thought and meditation.  God stripped me of the right I felt to be a leader and instead showed me that sanctification was more important.  I have found that He never lets us stay too long comfortable in our relationship but instead pushes us and gently coaxes us into a deeper intimacy.  Slowly by looking, listening and feeling my way to see what God was doing, what he was teaching me in each and every circumstance and by focusing on what I could learn, my perspective changed. 

 

God began using my previous experiences to shape and mold how I evaluated what was going on around me.  I began taking notes on the things I saw and what God was teaching me through them.  One of the early lessons when we were evacuated was that those in authority over you might not always act in a way that you believe is in your best interest, but remember that God is the conductor of the symphony.  Rather than condemn the leadership, I started to show grace realizing that we are all human and imperfect and this is no excuse to not extend grace.  I also saw the importance of really knowing your people.  Our team spent a lot of time in what I lovingly refer to as “forced intimacy”, which led to really getting to know each other, our struggles, strengths, weaknesses and how we were coping with those.  Knowing these details helped immensely in my journey of how to relate well to others and become team.  

There were other times that lack or failure in communication helped me realize its vital importance when leading. Communication and honesty is key in leadership.  God continued to remind me of things like how to delegate better which allows the team to really excel in their giftings.   I took time to try and hone these skills in the small things God allowed me the authority over.  If I was in charge of fellowship meal, rather than take on the whole task myself, it became a way to learn leading by example, delegating to others from their strengths.  I began trying to purposely and intentionally look at the team’s giftings and find ways I could encourage them.  Just because God has not placed me in a direct role of leadership does not mean I can not act like one. Always take the initiative to set the example rather than complain about leadership. 

One other smaller yet just as important rule I began setting for myself in dealing with peers and leaders was to quit sending long blovating emails.  Too often I learned the hard way that the longer the email, the easier I was misunderstood.  I had to learn that my leaders are very busy people as we all are, and directness and thinking before I sent anything is a much better approach.  Another instance in which God guided me to control those wiry emotions.

Ultimately, God used and will use these lessons to guide me onto the path he has planned for my husband and I, and in the end we will be better leaders because of this time.  Learning to lead by example has not been an easy task for me, as I always want to take the bull by the horns so to speak, however it is a much-needed skill in kingdom work.  God will prepare you in his time and use you when he and you are ready for the task.  Which leads to the next lesson, never assume you know what God is doing!  See you next week!

Amy Lynn* has been married to her husband for 15 years.  He graduated last May from SEBTS with an MDIV in International Church Planting.  They are currently serving in the Middle East.  They have 4 children, ages 13, 11, 5 and 2.  Amy Lynn enjoys reading, writing and working out when she is not studying Arabic or visiting friends. 
*Name has been changed to ensure protection for our contributor. 

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3

Here is the promise made to us by Scripture.  That no matter what the obstacle, trial, conflict or suffering, we can experience the perfect peace of God which will supply us with all that we need to persevere.  Philippians 4:8 further helps to explain what we are to do in taking our thoughts captive, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." In short, if we occupy our minds on the beauty of the Gospel and the character of God, then we will experience perfect peace.  Simple enough, right? So if that's all there is to battling unbelief and worry, then why are we not able to successfully find this peace in our day to day existence?  Why do I wake up worrying about relationships in my life, my work, my bank account, my family?  Why do I struggle with critical thoughts? Why do I constantly find myself in a state of unbelief regarding God's character and his care over me?

I believe the struggle regarding our thoughts continues because we have done a poor job of practically applying these two principles in our daily lives. We don't experience peace because we don't practically look to make permanent changes in our hearts so that our thoughts will become steadfast.  We simply try and will ourselves to think only lovely things and to focus on the Lord.  In the counseling world, we call this approach "white knuckling it" meaning that we ball our hands up in a tight fist and say "I can do it! I can do it." The problem with white knuckling it is that you can only clench your fists for so long.  Eventually you will tire out.  The same goes with taking our thoughts captive.  

Here's an exercise to prove my point.  I want you to do exactly as I say.  Ready?  Don't look at the light bulb in your room.  Don't look at it. If it's a lamp, don't you dare cast your eyes that way.  Don't look at the light fixture. Don't look at the candle.  Whatever your light source is, don't look at it.

Okay, if you are anything like me, you found yourself suddenly struggling with the desire to look at that darn light bulb!  What was previously not even an idea in your head has now become the one thing you must do.  So go ahead...look at the light.  

The point is that we are setting ourselves up for failure whenever we command ourselves to only think good things.  When we focus on our behaviors and not our hearts, we then experience exactly what the Apostle Paul expresses, " For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate."  

When we simply tell ourselves that we are not going to think bad thoughts, we are setting ourselves up for failure in the same way that I set you up for failure when I told you not to look at that light bulb. (Did you just look at it again?) The trick is not to deny our negative thoughts.  In the same way that we cannot easily dismiss our desire to look at the light bulb, we also cannot turn a blind eye to our negative thoughts.  We can't overlook the elephant in the room.  And let's be real, we know it's there and so does God.  To simply dismiss the sinful thought or the heart driving it is to refuse to confess our sin to our Savior.  Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away. We must get to the root of these thoughts to make permanent heart change.  So how do we do this? We involve God. We seek to think pleasing thoughts and when we fail, we stop and confess and ask God to help us to grow in this endeavor for holiness.  True sanctification is the combination of the work of the Holy Spirit and our obedience.  Sanctification involves growing in the love and knowledge of our Lord through obeying His commands and in repenting from our sins.  We can model these very things in learning to take our thoughts captive.  Below are what I hope will be helpful points in helping you to practically do this.  

***Please note that I have compiled these notes using Charles Spurgeon's sermon "The Song of the City, and the Pearl of Peace" on Isaiah 26:3 in combination with my own thoughts from Hebrews 3 and 1 Peter 5:6-10 on how to put these concepts to work.  

Our hearts: Hebrews 3

1. Are led astray when we don't consider the ways of the Lord (and specifically his being in the details of our life) Hebrews 3:10

2. When we don't recognize God's hand at work in our lives, our hearts enter into unbelief and we tend to run to our old ways of doing things or avoiding things.

3. Our hearts harden when we refuse to believe God's promises

We enter peace: Hebrews 3 and 1Peter 5:6-10

1. When we choose to meditate on God's promises and his character.

2. When we rest on Christ's promises.

3. When we commune with God 

4. When are hearts allow God to give us the necessary discernment and will to believe him even when we are in the "wilderness."

5. When we come to a place of total resignation to God's will, knowing that his will for us is perfect, loving and good. 1 Peter 5:6

God provides peace: Spurgeon on Isaiah 26:3

1. Through provision of community within the church and physical resources 

2. By working in our mind to renew it and to give it discernment

3. Through providence of circumstances

Taking our thoughts captive: Spurgeon on Isaiah 26:3

1. Every thought must be connected to God. This is not denial of certain thoughts.  It is taking even unbiblical thoughts and contradicting them by tying them to God and his promises. (For example: "Lord, I confess that I am tempted to belittle my co-worker in order to exalt myself. Thank you, Lord, that you do not treat me in this way.  Help me to consider my co-worker better than myself and to seek ways to love and care for her.)

2. We do not dwell on the "What If" thoughts because we are not to dwell on any thought that makes our Lord appear unkind or faithless.--Spurgeon

3. "We are to have no confidence in our circumstances or even in other people.  God must be our supreme confidence and hope."--Spurgeon

4. "We do not sigh for tomorrow.  We stay where we are anchored by Him."--Spurgeon

5. We cast all of our anxieties on Him because he cares for us. 1 Peter 5:6-10.

"When we rest in God there is no sinful hurrying up."--Spurgeon

As we strive to please the Lord in our thought life, we must saturate ourselves with the Gospel so that we will not become exasperated by our sin. The work of the Holy Spirit is to point us to Christ.  Your sin should serve as a reminder that yes, you still need your precious Savior even today.  We will never be able to do anything apart from Him.  Let your struggles give you a greater passion to lean on Christ for victory over them.  And in the meantime, you will experience the growth of peace in your heart as you strive to be steadfast in your pursuit of the Lord.  

Michelle Horton lives in Northwest Washington, DC. She is a member of Restoration Church where she currently serves part-time on staff as a biblical counselor. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communication Studies at Clemson University and her Master of Divinity in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to becoming a biblical counselor, Michelle pursued a career in television news for six years. It was when Michelle personally experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ and his redemption in her own life that she first became interested in biblical counseling. She decided to study biblical counseling as a means of sharing Jesus Christ and the transforming power that only comes from walking with Him. Michelle enjoys counseling a wide variety of issues with a special interest in counseling women who struggle with addictions, eating disorders and depression. In her spare time, she enjoys running, water skiing, watching Clemson football and enjoying all the sites and scenery DC has to offer.