Influence

As Christians and disciples of Jesus we are given two very important identities; salt and light. With these two identities Jesus gives us the charge to be examples to this world. In Titus 2:7-8 it states, “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” Our example and influence is not about how other Christians view us but about how the non-Christians view us.

Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” How we act can affect people’s view of Jesus Christ. Some might be on the edge of belief but see Christians who act no differently from the people who do not claim Christ and decide that Jesus isn’t for them based on their behavior. People who don’t believe constantly use Christians’ hypocritical behavior as their grievance against Jesus. We have to remember that we are called to be salt and light. We are called to influence those around us so that they can be influenced by the love of God.

- Ryan Jarboe (Aim, Italy '09)

What Jesus Taught Me About Mission Work

Take a look at Matthew 26:39. What emotions do you hear from Jesus? I hear fear. Jesus prays to God to save him from his impending crucifixion if at all possible. Jesus has already predicted his death and now he is at the point when he has to commit and he is afraid. Then he says that God’s will is the deciding factor. In verse 42 Jesus prays, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done.” With that phrase Jesus gives all of himself to God’s plan for our redemption despite his human fears.

At this moment in Jesus’ ministry I learned about my own mission work. Jesus taught me that fear in the face of my work is fine, but I still have to be a man who conforms to the will of God. There are times when I am scared that what I am doing will not work. God has plans and as long as you have faith and follow God, you are on the right track. My prayer in times of fear is that God continues to use me for His will even when I am scared.

- Ryan Jarboe (Aim, Italy ‘09)

God Helps, Even At My Breaking Point

Every Christian knows that God will always help. It is one of those things that I was taught in Bible school and tell others when they are facing trials. Do I really believe that it is true? It is easy to say God is helping his people when I am comfortable or when I get what I want. It is also easy to say God has abandoned me when I feel alone, useless, or to the point of burnout. Is God at my side when I feel like I cannot move forward in my work, when things are moving backwards, and I am ready to throw in the towel? It is hard for me to say, but God is helping me even when I am at the breaking point.

Take a look at God and the Israelites. When leading them into the Promise Land, God was with them step by step. In Exodus 23 God begins to tell the Israelites of their guardian angel. God tells them that He will destroy nations and continually bless His nation. Then in verse 29 He puts a time table on the fulfillment of His short term plan. God states the it will take more than a year because He does not want the land to be desolate and the wild animals to kill the Israelites. In verse 30 God puts His plan into simple words, “little by little.” I have no doubt that God could solve all problems in seconds but He knows the supreme benefits of “little by little.” When God tells the people this they have already been through so much and are still waiting for the final victory. What if when I feel burnout God knows that He cannot just give me the victory because of the negative repercussions? What if God actually knows what is best for me? I forget sometimes that God is omniscient and my mind can only understand so much. God has historically and infallibly held to His promises and His help is part of the Christian promise. God is with me through every hard time even when I cannot see the next step on my journey of faith.

Ryan Jarboe (Aim, Italy 09)