Building Bridges

Bridges are fascinating structures.  They come in all sizes and shapes. There is a five-foot bridge made of 2X4s across the drainage ditch in my back yard. In Africa, we crossed many bridges made of tree trunks and rotting boards, sometimes by foot, and sometimes – gulp – by car.  I’ve crossed the Mackinac and Golden Gate bridges at one time or another; both are stunning feats of engineering.  I’ve read about the amazing 14-year construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, which still does its job with style nearly 140 years after completion.  

Yet all bridges do the same, relatively simple thing: they provide a safe, straight path over otherwise unpassable terrain.

Christians are  - or should be – bridge builders. My pastor reminded me recently that we are called to build bridges of grace and mercy that will support the weight of truth.  We often wonder why so many people around us ignore the gospel.  Perhaps it’s because we are focused on our words, while they are looking for grace and mercy.  When we show grace and mercy in tangible ways, the truth we speak is so much more acceptable.

That’s why wholistic ministry is so important, and why ECM works hard to build bridges of grace and mercy.  We believe that love shown in practical ways will support the weight of the gospel, leading many to believe.  Jesus brought good news for today, for tomorrow, and ultimately for eternity.  Every act of love, like every word of truth, moves people one step closer to accepting Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

Thank you, ECM staff, for all you do to build bridges of grace and mercy that support the weight of truth. What you do is making a world of difference in a world that needs so badly to experience some good news!

The Power of Appreciation

I was sitting in the Brussels airport on Valentine's Day morning.  I was exhausted after a grueling two week trip in Africa, and an overnight flight in economy.  There were no gluten free options for breakfast anywhere, and my only comfort was a cup of Starbucks Mocha coffee (at least they had a dairy free option)😃.  The last two weeks had been among the most grueling of any of my trips, between COVID tests, intense heat, and stressful situations to deal with.  I had another long flight to look forward to, then a layover and another flight.  I was ready to be home.  And I wondered if what I do makes much of a difference, and is worth the effort.  

And then I opened my email.  A staff member had decided to take the time to write a brief but thoughtful email letting me know that I was appreciated.  Tears came to my eyes as I contemplated what I was reading. Maybe it was the exhaustion that brought the tears, but more likely, there was enough power in those simple words to make a grown man cry .  I certainly didn't deserve such compliments, but that morning they did a lot to remind me of the importance of what we do at ECM.  In the grand scheme of things, what we do seems rather small and insignificant, but who says God doesn't do some of his best work outside of the spotlight?  The smiles of the kids and the appreciation of the staff remind me that whatever we can do to help, despite our limitations and failings, is worth all the effort.

Take some time today to show your appreciation for what others do to make the world a better place.  Look for something small and put it in the spotlight.  As Christians, we shouldn't do much to highlight our own accomplishments, but that should never stop us from genuinely appreciating what others are doing to spread a little love in a hurting world. 

Even in the Worst of Years

As we reach the end of 2020, it would be really easy to look back on the year, throw up our hands and say "good riddance!"  But I've got another idea.

Let's raise up our hands and shout "Thank you Lord!" instead.

I'm not much into complaining about how bad things are, or all the problems I've had to deal with.  I'd rather solve problems then cry about them.  Now, I'm not saying that 2020 hasn't been a very trying, difficult year.  It's been incredibly frustrating at almost every turn.  But I don't think we do ourselves much good by worrying or complaining about it.  The old "attitude of gratitude" mentality works much better, I think.

So let's be thankful about all that was accomplished through this ministry in 2020, instead of complaining about the tasks left unaccomplished because of the pandemic.

Let's thank God for the things we were able to focus on that we wouldn't have been able to focus on if we were doing "normal" ministry.

As we finish 2020, let's remember all that God has done, and give him thanks for all of it.  As we head into 2021, let's do so with excitement and enthusiasm because we know that even in the worst of years, God still does GREAT things!

It's Good Friday. So What?

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NIV)

The calendar says it's Good Friday, and that Easter is just two days away.  But all I hear on the news is COVID-19 this, coronavirus that.  Wear a mask, don't wear a mask; don't shake hands with anyone; and by all means, stay six feet away from everyone.  And please, please stay inside (unless what you've got to do is really, really important, like buying mulch for landscaping your yard, or running to the store to get that chocolate bar you've been craving, or getting take-out for dinner from your favorite restaurant).  Yet we are supposed to remember that today is Good Friday, the day Jesus died.

Well, it is true that we have been hearing a lot about death lately.  Mortality rates, death counts in every country under the sun, and fear that only comes when people begin to consider the possibility that they might be next.  We are certainly afraid of death.

So the question comes to my mind: why did Jesus actually have to die?  I certainly know people who are uncomfortable with the idea.  Frankly, I am uncomfortable with the idea. I also know people who outright reject the notion that God requiring Jesus to die for us is like, the best plan?  Really? Surely God could have come up with a better idea.  Couldn't he have just said, "OK, it's all good.  No, really, I've got this taken care of.  You're all in!"  It sounds good, and there are many days I wish it were true, especially when I spend time with really nice people who won't accept the message of forgiveness and salvation through Christ.  But the problem is, it just doesn't match with what the Bible says about God.  He is loving, yes, but he is also just.  He is holy and righteous and cannot just ignore sin.  So, as much as I would like that to be different, I can't change who God is, at least not without changing what Scripture says about Him.   

I'm no theologian, but it's pretty clear to me what the Bible is saying.  By ourselves, we just don't make the grade. (You can read for yourself in passages like: Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 6:3-5, Leviticus 17:11, and Romans 3:23-26.)  But what is also clear to me is that God loves me and has made a way (see Romans 5:8) for me to be saved.  It's not really my place to question his methods, as much as I might wish for other options.

So today is Good Friday.  Jesus had to die because God required it, based on who He is.  But the key here is that God did make a way for us.  It's there for the taking.  In the midst of COVID-19, when fear is the emotion of the day, we can find peace because someone else died for us.  So when we die (and we will die, if Christ doesn't return first), we have nothing to fear. Because of Christ, this is a very, very good day, indeed.

Encouragement in the midst of COVID-19.

I want to share some words of encouragement with each of you as you tackle one of the biggest issues you have likely faced in ministry.  Right now, I am sure that the focus of many, including ECM staff, is on what can't be done right now.  We can't hold Saturday clubs, we can't visit homes, we can't visit schools, we can't hold meetings or trainings....  We can't, we can't, we can't....  I get it. I feel the same way too right now.  

So I want to encourage you simply to ask yourself, "What can we do right now? What can we do that we didn't have time to do before?  What can we do to move forward the mission and vision of ECM, even in the midst of difficulty?"  

If you can continue to find ways to bring hope during this time, then you have succeeded.  I challenge you to find ways to bring hope, even if the methods may look different than before.  Even if you have to think outside the box.  

There is a lot we can do.  So, let's do it!

Lord, We Want Our Sight

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

“Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

Matthew 20:29-33

What comes next in this story is critical for followers of Christ.  Let me start by telling you what does not come next:

Jesus looked at the men with great indignation and told them, "Oh foolish men! Why are you so short-sighted? I have come to bring you hope for eternity, so cast your vision for what is to come, not on what you may see today!"

And the men rejoiced as they continued in their blindness, knowing that someday they too would see.

Could Jesus have said that?  Yes, he had the right to say it, and there are certainly places in Scripture where he points people away from today and toward eternity. But his response in this situation (and in many situations in Scripture) was very different.  Instead of ignoring the men or downplaying their need, Matthew tells us that Jesus

"...had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

Jesus cared about those with physical needs and almost always did something about it.  He didn't preach to the men, he just healed them.  But don't miss what came next: they followed him.  That's what often happens when we consistently do good things for others in the name of Jesus.  They follow him.  And isn't that the ultimate goal?

When God Says No

"...having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word."

Acts 16:6

Why would God keep anyone from doing something good? From doing even what he has commanded us to do?   From doing something as important as sharing the good news in a hurting world?  Let's be honest, that doesn't seem to make much sense.

I suppose the easy answer is, "God's ways are mysterious, and we cannot understand them." I'll be the first to say I can't argue with that.  But there is, of course, a better explanation.  God has a plan much bigger than our "moment in time."  While something might seem good, it may not be best.  It may not even be close.  With our limited sight, however, we don't see what is around the corner, or what may come tomorrow. 

There are three things we can take from this truth, as leaders and decision makers:

• Right thing, wrong time.  Timing is critical for the effective leader.  Pushing forward with the "right thing" when the timing is wrong will lead to disasterous results.  Be patient, seek God's leading, and be willing to wait for something better than you could have imagined.
• Doing that "right thing" may not actually be worth the effort, time, and funds.  Some things might be right and good, but not part of your organization's overall plan and vision.  "Stay in your lane" at all times. Easier said than done, but vitally important in the long run.
• God may very well have something even better than you could imagine.  If he is telling you not to do something that may to most seem good and right, you would be wise to listen.

In Acts 16, God wanted the team to avoid preaching in one area because of a greater need elsewhere (v.9).  They responded to the need unhesitantly.  The rest, as they say, is history.  What will your history look like?