|
|
|
|
|
|
Stunning displays of color, beautiful brown eyes, tantalizing tastes,
and remarkable displays of God’s faithfulness and love – this is India
to me.
I’ve never physically been there yet but I can imagine it. My inbox gathers weekly updates from our missionary team living there. Miracle laden stories fill my mind as MBMSI staff recall stories from their youth. One of my favourite restaurants boasts “authentic” Indian cuisine and my favourite twinkling smile comes with a wave from an elderly Indian man that crosses my path most days on my ride to work.
 Last week I sat down with Rachel Wall, MBMSI’s steadfast accounts payable team member, and asked her to tell me about her recent church team’s mission trip to New Delhi, India. We sat comfortably on the overstuffed staff couches and caught up.
Her pictures confirmed much of what I had already envisioned but I was surprised to learn that New Delhi’s cultural and spiritual cravings are not so different from here. I expected to learn about a vastly foreign culture, instead a middle class society was revealed that operates very similarly to the middle class culture I experience here in North America.
The parallels shocked me.
“Maybe it’s just because my senses were on high alert but it seemed like billboards bombarded us at every angle as we walked through the streets,” shared Rachel. “I know it’s like that here too but I just don’t notice it anymore. Bigger, better, that’s the struggle.” A subtle yet gripping sense of dissatisfaction permeates the New Delhi lifestyle. People struggle to keep up, surpass and satisfy. This dance for power and status is not so different from what I see and sometimes feel here at home.
 As Rachel shared about her team’s ministry experience I saw that again, similar to North America, this need for stuff is a major roadblock for people to “taste and see” the satisfying hope of Jesus Christ. People are so busy running after what they think they need, they can’t slow down enough to see who their soul really craves.
My spirit was encouraged as Rachel shared how our missionaries impact their neighbours and friends by living a life fully satisfied in Jesus. Their holistic approach to ministry attracts people and draws them to the Source of eternal satisfaction and joy.
Two years ago, three families transplanted their families and futures to New Delhi, India to form a church planting team. They are consumed with a desire to reach those that have not yet experienced a relationship with the Living God. They desire transformed communities through a realized hope in Christ. As they naturally build relationships with people they strive to serve each one holistically -offering spiritual resources as well as friendship.
Similar to our North American culture, nominal spirituality is common in India. Yet through relationship and trust, a nominal attitude can be stirred into a passionate quest. One of our missionaries recently started a Bible Study with three friends, two Hindus and a Muslim because of interest shown after a casual, spiritual conversation. During the first session the group read through a chapter of Matthew and talked about the Person of Jesus Christ. The following week, one of those men in attendance called to ask more about Jesus. He shared with all sincerity that he wanted to feel his presence. I can hardly contain my joy. This man is being drawn to the true source of life!
As church planting teams all over the world engage in relationship, they see holistic transformation. People’s lives are being changed because they are living satisfied lives in Jesus. So what does this holistic ministry look like in North America? The question rumbles around in my head as I arrive home at the end of my day. How can I live fully satisfied in Jesus so that others are attracted to Him?
I arrive home, flop onto my couch and grab the remote. A home improvement show shares secrets for the perfect yard, my house is never good enough, I flip to the news and the anchor reports a decline in satisfied relationships, my marriage isn’t good enough, a commercial invades the screen displaying this years’ newest vehicle models, my car isn’t good enough.
An invasion of dissatisfaction hits me. I am momentarily discouraged. Wait! I hit the power button off and throw the remote aside. I am satisfied. Jesus is my everything! I joyfully jump off the couch and grab my jacket. There is Kingdom work to be done!
Lord, help me to live alert for the unsatisfied soul. Strengthen me to live purposed every day, watching for those searching for you, the Living Water. I have Good News. I am eager to share it. Thank you Lord for India. Thank you for our missionaries that live fully in you. Thank you for satisfying my soul.
By Carissa Brey Youssef
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:14-15
|
|