Even if it’s 50

April 1, 2011 By Patty

Recently I’ve been researching missions in Ecuador, where I spent my teen years as a missionary kid. Although I’ve LOVED the research and all that I’m learning, it’s not been easy. Maybe because missions is so near and dear to my heart—one of those things I hold close.

Quichua of EcuadorI’m learning more about perseverance as I study missions in Ecuador. Did you know that missionaries worked with the Quichua people for 50 years before any were saved? (LoL—if you knew that, email me cuz I have a little gift for you. Really.) The Quichua New Testament had been translated and published by that time and slowly the people were saved and being baptized.

50 years.
I get frustrated when my kids don’t listen and change their actions after only 5 minutes of me explaining why they should. I give up on people after maybe 5 months of feeling like I’m banging my head on the wall. Yet those missionaries worked and lived and loved the Quichuas for over 50 years before seeing eternal fruit for all the blood, sweat and tears they poured into those people. And yes, missionaries pour boatloads of blood, sweat and tears into the people they’re living amongst. I’ve seen it in almost every missionary I know well enough.

Those missionaries were willing to live and work for years and years without seeing fruit for their labor—simply because they were convinced they were where God wanted them, doing what God wanted them to do. If they had quit, there wouldn’t be thousands of Quichua believers now.

50 years.
And I get impatient over the stupidest things. So many of my (writer) friends grow discouraged and quit when they don’t see a contract in 5 years. So many of us throw in the towel when we don’t see the progress we think we should, but where does persevering simply because it’s where God wants us fit into the equation? Am I willing to do what God wants me to even if I don’t see the progress or fruit I think I should?

Even if it’s 50 years?

I think I need to change my perspective.
How about you?

*Photo courtesy of Ilhuicamina via flickr
Filed Under: Writing

A Lasting Beauty

April 1, 2011 By Patty

DaffodilsI love spring. One of the things I love is seeing all the daffodils blooming in the middle of nowhere. They were planted generations ago by ladies who loved beauty, and those flowers are still there–still blooming each and every spring.

Those ladies still have an impact on the world. They’re still making this a beautiful place to live, even though they’re no longer here to enjoy it or even nurture it. That’s what I want for my life. I want to leave lasting beauty for those coming after me. How do I do that? By planting flower bulbs? I could. But it only takes one pass of a tractor or bulldozer to bring their beauty to an end.

Those daffodils remind me that I need to be planting seeds for eternity. Seeds that can grow, bloom and multiply long after I’m gone. Those are blooms that will last forever, not just for a season.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21 NAS

God has given each one of us work to do in our life, with our life. We need to fulfill that calling to the best of our ability. Whether we’re in the task-force, ministry, or at home full-time, we’re to be a light shining brightly to those around us. A flower that blooms in unlikely places, pointing others to Christ. Always pointing to Jesus.

If we’re obeying God, we’re planting for eternity. Well, let me rephrase that. There are many times my husband asks me to do something, and I’ll do it…eventually. I’ll do it…grudgingly. I’ll do it…muttering the whole time. I’ll do it…with a rotten attitude. Sure, it’s obedience, but… It’s like if my husband were to pick a bouquet of flowers, and before giving it to me, squishing each bloom in his fist.

It takes more than obedience to plant for eternity. Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it won’t bear fruit (John 12:24). In order for us to bear fruit for eternity, we need to deny ourselves and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Denying ourselves is when the seed dies. That’s when planting for eternity starts.

When we die to ourselves we follow Christ
Immediately, not eventually.
Gladly, not grudgingly.
Praising, not muttering.
With a sweet aroma, not the smell of rottenness.

DaffodilsThat is planting for eternity. Seeds that will produce lasting beauty. Beauty that blooms in our lives and also that will reach beyond us to the generations coming after us. We are to live beautiful lives so that our sons and grandsons might fear the Lord. (Duet 6:1-2)

That kind of life will produce results that bear fruit and bloom even after we’re gone–just as those daffodils bloom long after their planters have died. We don’t know the planters’ names, but what’s important is that they planted the flowers and we’re still reaping the benefits and beauty of them. That’s what we’re looking for in our lives, too.

The beauty of a life lived for Christ.
That’s truly lasting beauty.

Filed Under: Devotional, Seasons, Spring, Women