On MissionSample

Periods Of Stink

Our family is me, my wife Donna, and our four sons – and we would not trade the life we’ve lived with God for anything. But to be fair I must also be honest and say that sometimes our wonderful life ‘on mission’ stinks. Sometimes those periods of stink are minutes or days, and at times they last weeks or even years. Everyone in our family can tell you about miracles, but each also has scars. 

During these ‘periods of stink’, we’ve had people ask us why the things that have happened haven’t made us question or doubt our faith? Why, they ask, can you be so confident during times when you cannot be happy? I just love the dumbfounded looks on my boys’ faces when they’re asked that question. 

The answer is simple – happiness is not the goal. Ease of life is not the goal. There is no expectation that our life will look like Facebook. 

The expectation is that God will be with us (1 Samuel 7:12) today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. And if God is with us then regardless of the state of the world we will see His will done, we will see His provision, we will see His name glorified and, most importantly, we will see people chose Jesus! 

It is not that what happens today doesn’t matter – it just not the base for how we feel or how we act or what we believe. What inspires us as we seek to serve is the absolute confidence that we do not do this alone. 

Written by BARRY JESSEN | SERVING WITH SAMARITAN’S  PURSE IN CAMBODIA