Endure…

As so often happens, during my (Matthew) quiet time with the Lord, a verse struck me as speaking to my situation at that moment. For you see, it is so easy to want lose heart and focus here in Equatorial Brazil. The culture is different. The language is difficult. The service at church is different and long. A trip to the store is, to some extent, different. These things are not sinful in and of themselves but it is so easy to allow yourself to focus only on these things. I am sure these are tools in the hand of the evil one too, used to divert us from our task and unfortunately I am at times easily diverted.

Nevertheless, our family was called to the mission field for a season and we should be focus on the task at hand for is a privilege to serve our Lord here, in this place and at this time. So, on one of those days when the heat was almost unbearable, the culture frustrating and one just wanted retreat to an English speaking television program and an expensive-to-run air-condition room, this verse confront me “… let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1b-2a).” It is amazing how the Holy Spirit can bring to bear on us the weight of Scripture. Those words “lay aside,” “ensnares,” “run,” “endurance,” and “keeping” all seem to speak to me and say that I must again remember to treat this time of service to Lord as if it truly meant something…for you see it does. God did not bring the Gilpin family here for no reason. Rather, our sovereign Lord brought us here to reach the lost. So, on those days when it is hot (wait, it is always hot) and on those day when I am frustrated, I hope to remember to put on my running shoes, set my sights on the Christ and run!

Therefore, no matter where you are today, remember that you need to lay aside all those things that turn your attention from God and focus on the one that truly matters, Jesus Christ. Who endured even to the point of death for your sake and for mine.

Motivated By Love…

I think that a human is made to love… either a person loves themselves, loves others, or he/she loves God. Now, these are not mutually exclusive, rather our God-given ability to love often encompasses all of these types of love. The battle for many, and of course for me (Matthew), is to make sure that the love for God is given first place. This is against human nature, for we too often want our way even if we know it is not God’s way.

So, there are those days when Tara and I want to leave Brazil. It is not that we hate it here or that life in this place is as difficult as other places. We are blessed to live in a wonderful apartment, to have a S-10 4-Door pick-up, and to have only one current job which is to learn the language. However, some days we just want to pack up all we have and leave… then, as often happens, God speaks. Whether it is through a song, a scripture verse, an e-mail from a friend or prayer-partner, or though my little girl.

Now, you have heard me repeatedly speak of Lydia’s heart for the lost. Today, I was again amazed by her desire for those who need the Lord. Lydia, Samuel and I were at a stop light waiting to turn and as usual several people came up to our windows begging for money and selling everything under the sun. We seldom patronize these vendors nor do we give to those who beg. However, this day I told Lydia to give 50 centavos (about 0.30) to an old beggar who was missing one leg. As we pulled away, Lydia said, “Daddy, I did not tell him about Jesus.” After some discussion about learning language and about meeting people’s physical needs, she said, “Do you think Jesus is proud of me?”

What a beautiful reminder of the reason we are here, LOVE. For Christ loved us and His love for us makes us long to tell others of His love. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” So, on those days when I want to go home, do I die to self and live for Him? On those days when life is good, do I die to self and focus not on self but on the lost?

If you are child of God, I pray that you and I might have a heart for the lost like Lydia! If you are not, then know you are loved by a God and a little missionary girl whose heart is as big as her God.