Maybe that is a tough love kind of intro, more dad than mom :-). Ok, the back-story is that I won a prize from the Campus Executive team for our staffs’ use of the Slack communication tool. The prize was a sticker of my choosing, which felt both awesome and too much like kindergarten. In searching, this sticker called to me and I love it. The Great Commission message, Lifelines style!
I grew up pretty much hiding failure and weakness. That translated pretty quickly to my walk with Christ and to my outward-facing life as a professionally employed Christian. During my first summer with Lifelines that reality was challenged. Though I had known professional failure in some ways the first 12 years of my ministry, I was still slow to admit failure and especially weakness. We teach grace and truth in our programming but our best contribution to those we minister with is the confession of our lives. Paul freely confesses his loser status, “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God”. 1 Corinthians 15:8–9 (ESV):
I have found some real freedom in shedding my “winner” cloak. Nothing says grace to your soul like admitting your need to a brother or sister. When you say it out-loud your soul is listening. Then the gospel finds new places to grow.
We are not content to be local losers, no, we are going on a road trip! This message needs spread, and we are called to share it everywhere! On campus, in my church, on my trips, with the service worker I encounter, with my family, in Chile, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Tanzania! I love this quote from C.G. Trumbull, quoted by JI Packer, “Whenever I am justified in choosing my subject of conversation with another, the theme of themes (Christ) shall have prominence between us, so that I may learn of his need, and, if possible, meet it.” Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.
There is no better vehicle for the gospel then the broken and self-aware world-traveling evangelist.
Are we ready for a new motto, maybe something like “Losers with a Mission”, how about LWAM?
From one loser to another,
Mark
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