The Joy of Perseverance
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
Hey New Hope Family!
I pray you all are doing well and that God is continuing to lead you into being a missional-focused, missionary-sending and missional-living church! This week you are celebrating missions and that is always a great thing to celebrate! But what I would like to do, just for a moment, is talk about the joy of perseverance.
Now, how does missions and perseverance go hand in hand? My family has needed perseverance in our language acquisition and different Spanish accents, perseverance in two different countries with two very different cultures, parenting in a new culture, perseverance in new foods and drinks, perseverance in our marriage through this season and wanting to remain close with each other, perseverance with learning our role (believe it or not we do more than just talk to people about Jesus), perseverance in getting my master’s degree (with six kids, this has been the most trying for me!) and perseverance working with nationals.
Seasons of Transition
For me and my family, there have been many tests our first year on the field, but I’ve been encouraged by the words of Paul. The simple reminder that by our grace through faith, we have hope through the ups and downs of our lives that brings us into a joy that is beyond human understanding. For my family, these “growing pains” will be better for us to go through now so that we can be conformed more into the image of Jesus, be more of whom God has called us to be, and to be the missionaries He has appointed us to be.
For New Hope, you’re in a season of transitions. Some might be excited about that, (raise your hand if that’s you, I’m raising my hand with you!). Others might have questions and uncertainties (now raise your hands if you’re here, it’s OK, be honest!)
Be Joyful
What you can do best right now as a church is to be collectively joyful. God is leading you to continue to preach Christ crucified, die to self, and love Him and love others. Ultimately, your mission as a church hasn’t stopped because there have been changes.
I remember the words of our former senior pastor, Dr. Dave, saying, “One of the focal points about missions is that we are invited to be on God’s mission to redeem mankind.” God’s work to redeem mankind is one to be excited about, fall in love with, and to rejoice in whatever the hardships might be.
I pray that as you celebrate missions this week, foreign and domestic, celebrate the mission God has called New Hope to be on and persevere in that calling while being collectively joyful!
In Christ,
~Matthew Irvin
Your International Mission Board Missionary