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This week CCS hosted two of my favorite missionaries in our elementary and secondary chapels. There are millions of people living in countries that are closed to the gospel and closed to missionaries. And yet often they are open to Western people who can make their lives better through commerce. This husband and wife team are using their education, experience, and calling to fulfill the Great Commission.
Over time, this couple has grown a business in a foreign country in order to model Kingdom principles to the lost. As they build trust through authentic relationships, the natural truths of God’s love become apparent to the citizens of that country. The gospel is lived out right in front of those who need it most. Amazingly, some begin to desire the person of Jesus Christ behind the truth and love this couple has introduced to them through commerce. While God has called some to be evangelists, he has called all of us to be true disciples. Our mission of training disciples becomes most evident when our children begin to make disciples themselves. I was excited for our students to see firsthand how God can use our gifts and desires for His Kingdom. We can all view our occupation as a platform to share Christ with coworkers and customers. But did you know that the same platform is also available to the unreached in foreign countries? We pray daily over our students and our graduates. May they grow up to be amazing mothers, fathers, nurses, engineers, teachers, and famous donors! We also pray that the gospel is made known in each of those domains, not only locally, but throughout the world. May our community reach out to Salem, North America, and to the ends of the world! Mr. K really cares about carline!”
A teacher recently told me that their child shared this comment in their car driving into the parking lot one morning this week. I was probably outside, playing with some cones at the time, trying to make our carline more efficient. I admit it. I do like carline. I enjoy improving systems, making things better, ultimately helping people. A favorite verse of mine is Psalm 50:23b: “To one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God.” I love this principle. God is the creator of the universe. His creation is ordered. When we go against the grain of His Kingdom we tend to get splinters. Sure, sin has crept in and made things a bit messy. But that only helps us rejoice more in His gospel of redemption. I think our carline is a great metaphor for doing discipleship in a community. We can and should try to make things as good as possible. But nothing, apart from God Himself, is perfect. But it is in our own imperfections that God shows up. Ordering our way rightly both honors God, and reveals our weaknesses. We need Him. We need His kindness, grace, forgiveness, patience, and love to fill us and overflow to others. I love it when carline seems to run perfectly smooth. Perfectly ordered. But there are days it just doesn’t quite work out. Yet the salvation of God is constantly showing up, in the good and the bad. We can trust Him. And I pray that Heaven is becoming one of the busiest carlines in history. |
Adam Kronberger
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