Raising Teams

I have been fund-raising for my mission, and realized that I'm not raising funds, but raising teams.  That was one of the most amazing things I realized, because it sheds light on the Church.  Christ isn't raising funds, but raising a team of people so unified they are called His bride.  One bride, one body, one pursuit.  Some are the hands, some are eyes, some are the feet.  

I started thinking about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12 hoping to understand and appreciate the various roles in a team.  What do the hands do, or the feet, or the eyes or ears?  In an attempt to better understand my individual purpose, I stumbled upon something greater.

I saw a picture of a bride climbing a mountain.  At various times, the climber used her hands to pull herself up the cliff.  At other times, the climber had to look for proper footholds.  At other times the ears had to listen for the encouraging call of the Groom.

Then I realized those weren't separate times, but ways the body brings us closer to Christ.

There are times in life when we climb mountains, swim oceans, or eat meals to gain strength, but regardless of the activity, we are continually, and concertedly pursuing Christ.

The times we climb the mountain, we are using both our hands and our feet to pull ourselves up the cliff.  But if we take our eyes off of Christ to look for a foothold, we need to be sure that our ears are listening to His call.

When we are swimming oceans, we are using our hands and feet to propel us towards shore.  Our eyes are fixed on Christ and our ears are listening to crashing of the waves.  But if we find ourselves sinking into the water, Jesus will grab our hand and pull us out.

So rejoice in your role on Christ's team, because sometimes it's your role that brings us closer to the Prize.

Please email me if you want to be apart of the ministry team at Elmbrook Men.  I'll be interning there this year, and need help from supporters of all kinds.  Can you donate time or money?  How about encouragement, or creative ideas.  Sometimes I need correction and accountability.  

joshua.wheeler03@gmail.com

A Humbling Experience

In my last blog, I mentioned that I refused to worship power and money like the sales manager expected me to.  By standing my ground, I grew stronger in my faith, and more capable of seeing the supreme value of Christ compared to everything else.  There was more to this experience than just personal benefit though.

There was a surge of power rising through my veins after I stood my moral ground that day.  I saw the foolishness of my boss's perspective, and didn't want to participate in it.  My muscles became tense, and I envisioned myself stomping the ground and telling my boss I can't work with such heathens.  "I'm the adopted son of Father God; the brother to the King, I deserve better...."  But right before I was about to carry out my plan, I felt a voice prompting me to stay.  

Although I stayed, I really complained a lot to God.  You know, the "woe is me" type of complaining.  The first month was emotionally and mentally painful, but it drove me closer to God.  As I grew closer to God, I was able to find peace and contentment in where I was (a huge blessing given to Christians btw).  Eventually, I was able to quit focusing on my discomforts, and start to consider other people.  That's when I became amazed...

The people around me were changing!  One of the guys started going to church, the other started to read the Psalms to his wife, another asked me the reason for the hope I have, and both my manager and his boss allowed me to share the gospel with them!  God was opening doors, and giving me an opportunity to share His love.

But the experience that impacted me the most came during the last two weeks I was there.  One of my coworkers had a customer yell at him, and while I was thinking to myself, "HANG UP ON HIM," my boss grabbed the phone.

I immediately stopped what I was doing, and focused all my attention on the scene that was unfolding.  It was a flashback to my first week at the company: a customer on the phone yelling at me, and my boss telling me to yell back.  Would my boss repeat his actions?

With patience and humility, he said, "Sir, we didn't mean to offend you.  We are only salesmen trying to make a living.  We won't call you anymore, and have a great day."

Wow!

The person I was so quick to judge initially, became more patient and respectful than I was at that moment.  How humbling!  How amazing!  How characteristic of Christ's love!

The thing I've learned in life is that although I am an adopted son of Father God and I am a brother to the King of Kings, His free gift is not for my glory, fame, power, or wealth.  It's for my neighbor's.  I've been blessed to bless others.  Philippians 2 summarizes my role:  

 ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!

I praise Jesus for His willingness to do what I am unable to on my own.  

 

In the pressure cooker again

I've been working as a telephone salesman this past month while undergoing the interviewing process at a local church, and it's been a real trial.  During my small group, one of the guys asked what our current low point in life was, and I admitted it was my job.  He then asked what our current high point in life was, and I replied it was also that same job!  The guys in my group were a bit confused.

In fact, everyone has been a little confused about my decision to work at this company lately (including myself!).  I don't like phone sales, I have no experience or interest in the product, and my boss told me that I have to sacrifice my morals in order to work there.  In fact, he stood before me one day and commanded me to sin...

I'm prone to sin like everyone else, but I think it's important to stand your ground against immorality; especially when people try to convince you otherwise.  Psalm 118:8 says that "it's better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."

I use the word "especially" for a reason.  It's not because I think that it's okay to sin when no one is looking, or to play the part of a "holy roller" when everyone is.  I say "especially," because you have an incredible opportunity to witness God's glory at the moment of peer pressure.

My natural bent is to submit to peer pressure.  I started seeking acceptance from other people instead of God during 7th grade, and it's a path I never want to repeat.  Life gets really hard and ugly when sinful people control your behavior; as in my experience of addictions, discouragements, embarrassments and flat-out suffering.

But there was something special about the day I stood my ground, and I think it had to do with a few blessings that God wanted to provide.

As my boss stood before me yelling, "TELL HIM TO GO (bleep) HIMSELF," I realized how much this job sucks, and I didn't want to be here for the rest of my life.  In fact, the sooner I get out, the better!  So at that moment, I stood my ground, and said "NO."

(In most of my choices there is usually a selfless motive and a selfish motive.  Trying to get fired was the selfish one, but there was a selfless one as well.)

Paul said in Philippians 3:7-8 "I once thought these things were valuable, but now consider them worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him."  NLT

I use to love money and the opinions of people, but I'm starting to love Jesus more.  I still struggle to be single-minded for Jesus (everyone does), but it's getting easier as I realize how worthless other things in life are when compared to Him.  He is becoming what I really want by following through on His promise: "Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:4

So what were the blessings that God revealed to me on the day I held up under peer pressure?  He revealed that He was in control of my situation, by preventing me from being fired.  He revealed that my desires were being transformed by Him, He revealed that His worth was growing in my heart, and He revealed a bit more of Himself.

But those are only a few of the blessings...

My best unemployment story yet.

When I got back to the states this January, I felt that God wanted me to spend my time volunteering instead of looking for a job. It might sound weird, but I believed that I was going to meet a stranger who would offer me a job. So I waited, and I waited, and I waited...

I spent most of my time reading the bible, praying, and explaining how my relationship with God changed through my journey. I was free to do whatever I wanted, but eventually I became depressed because I lacked a purpose in life. So I updated my resume, posted it on the internet, and within a few days I got a call!

“This is it,” I thought to myself, “God is providing me a job through Career Builder.”

As I drove to the interview, I started thinking of ways to use this job as a vehicle for ministry. I had a few ideas, but I still believed that God was telling me to wait. So I told the company that I was no longer interested in the job, and continued to wait for other opportunities. As I watched my bank account dwindle, I felt fear begin to cripple me.

“Maybe I misunderstood God.” I wondered, “Maybe this what Jesus meant when He said you shouldn't put the Lord to the test.”

Confusion and anxiety quickly became my close companions, and I found myself spending more time searching for jobs. I asked my mentors for advice, explaining that I felt lazy for “job-waiting” but felt unfaithful by “job searching.” They suggested that I send out resumes, reminding me that an offer doesn't have to be accepted. I liked that advice, so began the process of emailing resumes.

Over the course of a few weeks, I sent out 50 or so resumes. I had a few interviews, but nothing really connected. I didn't make a huge attempt in following up with the others (because I still believed that God would provide), but I was shocked at the lack of response. “With these credentials and connections, why can't I at least get a part-time job,” I asked myself one morning.

I think my lack of tenacity was partly to blame, but who could blame me; I was loving life! Sure, I began my journey with depression caused by a lack of purpose, but God helped me realize that my purpose was to hang out with Him. Then I battled anxiety and worry (“what if I starve to death?”), but God reminded me that He will sustain me if I seek His kingdom first. Finally, I started questioning my ability to secure a job through my accomplishments and connections, but God...wait...God didn't remove that one.

God showed me that morning that it didn't matter how many gold stars I have on my resume, or how many people are in my network; I will accomplish nothing apart from Him.

“I am the vine, you are the branch. If you remain in my, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5

John 15:5 is a great verse, but unfortunately, I fail to believe that success is attained only through Him. In fact, success is defined as a relationship with Him. Maybe that's what He wanted to teach me through this time.

I don't know all the answers, but I find it interesting that a stranger asked me if I would like to work at the church that very afternoon. I had been volunteering there, and he was in charge of building and grounds. I had an interview for a part-time position, and am waiting for God to move again. It's a pretty amazing story, and I'm grateful for this experience. God did the impossible, and all I had to do was obey (which I did a poor job doing. Luckily He is faithful even when I'm not!)


I would love to hear your "against all hope" story.  Add a comment below:

Culture Shock

I have noticed that things have seemed a bit different, since I've been home.  I expected culture shock upon returning, but i didn't know what that would look like.  It was a lot different than i expected.

I got home and realized I wasn't excited to see the people who had waited for me.  At first, I thought it was because I missed my missionary friends.  Then I believed it was because the people at home expected certain things from me.  Finally, I believed it was because I didn't have a job or a plan for life.  While it is true that all of these reasons added to my shock; none of them were the reason for my culture shock.  It was something all together different.

YWAM is a "cowboy" ministry.  They shoot from the hip, and fire frequently.  This is something they are proud of, because it helps 25,000 young adults become excited about mission work every year.  I don't know if you remember this or not, but young adults are impatient and love shooting from the hip.  Well, maybe not all young adults...

I, for example, might be impatient, but I'm not a hip-shooter.  I want to see results, but only if I know that I'll succeed.  I've got a condition known by my pastor as: paralysis of analysis.  It's more commonly known as: cowardice.

Websters online dictionary defines cowardice as an "Ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain."

I guess that's why God had me go through YWAM.  He wants me to be noble, and said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Okay, He was talking to a different Joshua (son of Nun, while I'm the son of two), but the meaning is the same for all Christians: He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  That means we should rush into battle bravely, right?  Kind of...

YWAM forced me to face my fears, by putting me into foolish positions with a bunch of "trigger-happy" kids.  We found ourselves on the edge of a cliff, with only one way down: jumping (Surprisingly, it went against everything my mom taught me.  She use to say, "If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?"  Bad news mom; I guess I would...)

Is it wise to run to the edge of a cliff and jump?  No... unless God tells you to.   Whether or not He tells you to jump is His business, your job is to give Him control of that decision.  That, right there, is the biggest fear that I struggled with: giving Him control.  But hey, I'll trust Him as long as everyone else is...

While I was beginning in the faith, I began to realize that there are hundreds of "contradictions" in the bible.  We are told to lead a quiet and holy life, but we are also suppose to run to the ends of the earth proclaiming that Jesus wants to be your savior and Lord.  We are told to live a moral life, but we are not saved by that morality.  We are to be wise, yet walk in faith.  People give sermons on either end of the spectrum, and I'm torn someplace in the middle.  But are these really contradictions?

As I've grown closer to the Lord, I've realized that they are not contradictions, but misunderstandings.  This dawned on me as I heard a sermon about trusting the Lord, versus pleasing the Lord.  The pharisees chose to please the Lord instead of trusting Him.  They ended up doing neither, and that's because we please the Lord BY trusting Him.  We give Him control.

Coming back to America has been hard upon me, because I began to take control again.  "Find a job, but rest in the Lord's provision," "Move here, or move there", "Love home, but miss my friends overseas."  God wasn't asking me to balance any of those things.  He was asking me to be content with His decisions, BY keeping my perspective upon Him.

Amazingly, life is much more satisfying when I live by the Spirit.  How do you do that?  I don't know, you should ask Him.

http://prezi.com/tze5wg0i1ivl/life-by-the-spirit/

Our Wicker Basket Adventure

Jesus went to a Samaritan town one day, and asked a woman for a drink. Instead of answering, the woman asked why He would chose to talk with her; a woman of ill repute. Jesus could have provided a simple answer, but decided to use an analogy of well water in order to deepen the conversation. "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

"Sir" she replied, "You don't even have anything to draw the water from this well..."

That got me thinking about the process of drawing water. You can use a pump, a wooden bucket, a clay pot, or a wicker basket...wait, who would use a wicker basket to draw water?

I read a story this week of a grandfather telling his grandson to draw water using a wicker basket, so I decided to keep them in mind as I recalled our last week of outreach.

Our team packed our stuff last week, and headed from Manila to the prostitution capital of the Philippines. We met with a researcher named Dr. Fuller, who explained the complex issue of prostitution and how each problem is interrelated with another. For example: the 12,000 current prostitutes provide a huge boost to the local economy, making the government afraid to shut it down; the churches are afraid of stepping in and having the government shut them down; and Dr Fuller is afraid that he won't get the support he needs from the churches. Not to mention; every person has a need which is personal to them. So we decided to get personal.

That night, our group went to the clubs in order to meet the men and women who engage in business, and were amazed by the things we felt and saw. I struggled with lust, and the ladies struggled with judging the guys. After 10 minutes of staring at the floor in order to protect my wandering eye, I realized that it was impossible to watch the guys and the girls interact, so the group and I decided to do something different.

We danced to the music in the club, and played games like "20 questions" with each other. We forced smiles on our faces, and did the best we could to ignore the temptations flying at us from all angles. Amazingly, it worked! By bringing joy into our situation, we were able to change our focus from lust, pride and condemnation to an attitude of curiosity. We wondered what thoughts were running through their heads:

Did the women feel rejected when the prettier girls were taken home? Did they compare their bodies to the other girls? Did they enjoy talking to regulars? Were genuine relationships formed? Did the guys think it was a fair exchange, or did they want to abuse the women?

The next day we discussed our experience, and Dr Fuller guided us in discovering the different perspectives and desires each person had. Men wanted fun, women wanted security, but we all want to fill a void. It was a very unique opportunity to see the humanity in the industry.

So what does all this have to do with wicker baskets?

There is a story of a young boy who told his grandpa that he didn't find any use in reading the bible, because he forgot everything the minute he closed it. The grandfather put down the wicker basket full of coal that he was holding, and told the boy to fetch a basket of water. The boy dumped out the coal and ran to the well to draw water. He repeatedly tried to pull up the basket, but realized the water had drained too quickly. Frustrated, he ran inside and told the grandpa that the process was useless, to which the grandfather replied, "It's not useless, just look in the basket." The boy looked into the basket and realized it looked different. Instead of being coated with coal soot, it was clean. That's when the boy realized that his grandpa wasn't asking him for a basket of water, but a clean wicker basket The grandfather took the clean basket and put fruit in it, turning to his grandson and saying, "come on, we are going to bring this fruit to the hungry and poor."

I think that's the point of outreach; to weave people together like a wicker basket, and then dip ourselves into the living water. We hope to take the living water to the people around the world, but the water leaks through the spaces between interwoven fibers. It would be more efficient to carry the water using a clay pot, but that's assuming that the point is to carry water from one place to the next. Jesus didn't bring a well to the woman in Samaria; it was already there. I don't know whether our team brought the living water anywhere new, but i do know that we were a much cleaner wicker basket at the end of our trip, and watered a lot of grass in the process.

                                   Life: The Musical

Every year I hear people sing Auld Lang Syne at midnight; a song reminding us to appreciate the people in our past.  This is the first year I didn't hear that song though, and interestingly it's the first year that I decided to pause and remember the days gone by. It was a rewarding activity, because I was able to see how God orchestrated a year full of various seasons and transitions for us.  Belize was a time to learn, Cebu a time to play and Manila has been a time to listen.  As I thought about how the year was concluding, I began to discover  an underlying motif in His concerto.

Manila gave us the opportunity to increase our effectiveness by dividing into 4 groups and partnering with small, local churches, while also giving us a greater sense of ownership in the ministry.  We were able to take leadership roles in activities like door to door evangelism, camping in the slums, youth retreats at a water park, and lots of prayer walks.  We enjoyed the freedom to create and improvise, but at the same time, we felt out of tune with each other.  Things became more frustrating as the days went on, until one morning we had a breakthrough.

As we were discussing our concerns one morning, the tone of the room began to lift.  We learned that listening was the key in remaining harmonized through such diversity.  We needed to hear how it all came together in order to appreciate the different roles.  That afternoon, we decided to compose our own outreach activity which utilized the gifts of each individual. Some people prepared games, other songs; a few acted out a drama, and others shared the gospel.  It came together perfectly, and helped us realize how instrumental each person is.

New years eve was the following night, so we incorporated our newly discovered skill to create a vision for an exciting new years eve.  Each person took ownership of an activity, while helping others be successful.  The end result was one of the best new years we can ever remember.  We had a "murder mystery" dinner, a dance, a fireworks show, and a time of reminiscing about the year that God's been conducting.  That brings me back to the introduction: what's the motif of His concerto?

I think the thing I've began to realize is that God is composing the most beautiful love song ever to be played at a wedding, and we are instrumental to it.  It's a symphony of rich complexity.  A symphony comprised of billions of instruments, playing various harmonies, and canons.  A symphony that's increasingly harder to perform and conduct with each passing year.  It would be easier to have one instrument, but then the song would lack the majesty deserving of such a glorious occasion  I think that's why we ask ourselves every year, "should old acquaintances be forgot" and settle on a resounding, "No;"  our Maestro is creating a masterpiece through them.