Today we talked about the implications of our lifestyle choices on others.
It's CRAZY to consider. Up until this point, the decisions that Nick and I made on a daily, moment by moment basis really impacted very few people in a tangible way. Now, I am not trying to practice false humility and say that I don't think we've impacted anyone with our lives/ministry, etc. I am more saying that our small choices don't really make a difference. (In this context, of course small decisions combined end up making big decisions... but play along.) The example they used was purchasing a car. In a "normal" American lifestyle, a typical family might consider their spouse/family situation when purchasing a car. But when you're a missionary, there's so much more to consider-- there are more "stakeholders" in even seemingly small decisions...
Who are these stakeholders?
Well, since you asked. It could be anyone on this (non-exhaustive) list:
- Our kids
- Mission Board of Directors
- HCH Directors
- Sending church
- Supporters
- Family at "home" in the US
- Team members
- Other missionaries in the area
- Nationals
- Spouse
- Staff
- Our "target" group
- Local businesses
- Government officials (in the US and in Haiti)
- Our new national church
- Future missionaries
But the good news is that I really do believe I serve a God who has ordained this work. He is the God who created the universe. He doesn't NEED my help. He has CALLED me to help. Big difference. Which is fantastic news to me, because really, apart from my partnership with God, I am completely, utterly, ENTIRELY unable to accomplish any good work. Without Him, my "works" are just filthy works of flesh. With Him, he has planted in me his sovereign joy.
Check out Nick's thoughts on what sovereign joy means...
