Jym Shorts

Jym Shorts - September 29, 2022

by Jym Gregory on September 29, 2022

For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. – 3 John 7-8

 

In the spring of 1987, I was a junior in college. Actually, let me rephrase that. In the spring of 1987, I was a very hip junior in college. That sounds better. I worked for the university as a Resident Assistant, caring for the needs and monitoring the behavior of students who lived in my residence hall. A fellow Resident Assistant on my staff, who was also a friend from Inter-Varsity Christian shared with me her experience as a short-term missionary in Africa the previous summer. Her hope was to convince me to use the approaching summer to serve as a missionary in training in Kenya, East Africa. Having been raised Roman Catholic, where my idea of missions was a robe-garbed Franciscan monk evangelizing Native Americans with a rosary, the thought of going to Africa for a whole summer was tantamount to walking on the moon. Having already spent one summer on the mission field in Kenya, my friend had a connection with a pastor who was willing to put me up for the summer and even help me raise the funds to go. My answer after about two days of thought and zero prayer was “thanks, but no thanks.” I am pretty sure I made it sound more spiritual than that, but I had no desire to go.

 

Have you ever wished you could have a time in your life back again? What a missed opportunity. My mother used to quote on old Scottish proverb to me and my siblings on a fairly regular basis: “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” In other words, wishes are just that, wishes. We cannot change the past, try as we might. Who knows, maybe if I had gone to Kenya that summer I would have been bitten by a Black Mamba and died (there’s a pleasant picture). It is a comforting thought that God had other plans for me and was saving me from some unforeseen tragedy had I gone. In reality, however, I seriously doubt that. I am convinced I simply missed a unique opportunity to grow in my faith and serve outside of my comfort zone. There is no going back, but I sure wish that hip, young college student would have been thinking like this not-so-hip fifty-six-year-old pastor today—I would jump at the opportunity. As I grew up and matured, both mentally and spiritually, missions became a priority in my life, leading to multiple short-term and career mission opportunities. Those experiences turned out to be life-changing for me. Sadly, it might have started even earlier in my life.

 

Sunday marks our annual “Faith Promise Sunday.” Over the past two Sundays, we have heard from missionaries, including Rich Danzeisen with Mercy Inc., Dave Hare with World Team, and Bob & Debi S. serving with Pioneers. I hope you have been challenged by their messages/stories. I know that I have been. There is a vast world out there full of people who, although formed in the image of God like me, live lives completely different from mine. They need to hear the good news that Jesus entered this world, lived, died, was gloriously raised from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and now lives to intercede for them, that they may know (in Jesus’ words) a life that is more abundant and free. I am so glad to know that there are men and women who serve in such a way as to make that possible. 

 

This Sunday, I will share from the text listed above in this article. It tells me that some are willing to go, even to distant lands, with the gospel message. Praise God for that! It also tells me that many should be willing to give to make that possible. I will follow up my brief message with a call to do just that. I will ask you for your money, and Dedra and I will be willing to give as well. For those who can give toward missions in 2023, please do so. For those who cannot, please engage in missions through prayer, and by educating yourselves concerning the Scriptures’ call to take the gospel to the nations. Someday, you will be able to give financially, or maybe even to go. Be ready to do so when that time arrives.

 

I feel I missed an opportunity in 1987, and I do not like missing opportunities. Now I have another opportunity, this time to give financially toward missions and to help other believers capitalize on the opportunities I missed, and use them for the glory of God. I hope you will not pass up this opportunity either. What might have been always remains what might have been.

 

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym

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