Seek Jesus through prayer for vision, through challenges, and in thanksgiving.
It is interesting that what the world is going through today, is so relevant to the 3 key components of a “holistic ministry practice”:
- Seek Jesus through prayer for vision
- Seek Jesus through challenges
- Seek Jesus in thanksgiving.
Friends, we all are wrestling with the reality and the uncertain nature of this season through coronavirus. Some more than others. ILF community is no exception. You are no exception. The exception is as disciples of Christ, and as holistic leaders in ILF ministry, how do we deal with it. The exception is in how we “seek Jesus in all circumstances”.
Psalm 23:4 says “Even though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, and your rod and staff will comfort me”
Notice that is says “even though” and not “even if” I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Friends, isn’t it a reminder that valleys in life are unavoidable? Isn’t the history of mankind a testament to that? Certainly, you know something about life challenges in the recent years. The Genocide of 1997 with over 70,000 death and millions of people forced to leave their homes, Ebola in 2014 with over 11,000 in casualties, the mudslide in 2017 when over 3,000 people lost their homes, and now the global epidemic of coronavirus. What sets us apart as believer’s, friends, is what comes next in the verse: “I will fear no evil, for you are with me”. As we said earlier,
- Seek Jesus through prayer for vision and
- Seek Jesus through challenges.
Yes, it may be true that the fear of what we’re facing often keeps us from resting in God during difficult times. Friends, that is why it is so important to trust that “as we walk through the uncertainty of life, we ought to fear no evil.” God is with us; and as he has in the past, he will carry us through the present challenges and the ones yet to come. As a holistic leader in ILF ministry, this is the promise that we are to proclaim. It is not to ignore the presence of evil but recognizing that God is greater. He is greater than our fear and certainly greater than our circumstances.
But, where do we get the faith to know that… the bold faith of fearing no evil? We get it in these 4 words “YOU ARE WITH ME” seeking the comfort of God in his protection as we walk through the valleys and challenges of life. “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”. God knows the enemies that we face-he knows our worries and our anxieties. God will protect our heart and our soul as we turn to him. And when we turn to him, as any obedient child should, we ought to be grateful seeking God in thanksgiving. As we mentioned earlier, is the 3rd component of a holistic ministry practice:
- Seek Jesus through prayer for vision
- Seek Jesus through challenges
- Seek Jesus in thanksgiving.
A holistic leader seeks Jesus in all circumstances to help the community rest in the presence of God as THEY (the community) walk through their own challenges.
As we conclude this session, we invite you to mediate on the 3 components we discussed earlier and share specifically:
How have you used these principals in serving ILF communities?
We are grateful for your faithful service to our community during this challenging season and pray for your safety, protection and strength in Jesus name.
