CRC Teens in Missionary Service Week 1

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I wonder…have we/I forgotten what it means to truly “give thanks in ALL circumstances?” Notice that God is not teaching us to give thanks FOR all things, but rather to give thanks IN all circumstance.

So I pondered if my dinner table prayers of thanksgiving for the food have become mundane and routine instead of from the heart. And when I’m having a bad day, complain and take it out on some unsuspected innocent person like my wife (sorry sweetie). How often have I forgotten to thank my Father for the fact that I’m still breathing, walking and talking?

It was the first full day at T.I.M.S. week at CRC and I spent the day driving to the four different job sites. At first I thought I’d pick and stay with one crew for the whole week. However, that would not give me the chance to get to know all the awesome teens and leaders from the Chambersburg BIC Church and Pleasant View BIC Church.

Throughout the day I continued to make my rounds to the different homes the teams were assigned to, helping out with painting, sawing wood, digging holes, and taking pictures. The heat, humidity, and physical work were easy. But it was the conversations with the residents and my observation of their living conditions that worked on me the hardest.

Leaky roofs, broken windows, holes in the floors, cats, dogs, un-kept lawns, fleas, unidentifiable smells, dirty dishes, stained carpets, torn curtains, clogged gutters, paint chips walls, and loose gates give but a brief description of the first job site I visited. And yet…when I met the owner, despite his living conditions he gave me a firm handshake, a big smile, and a “thank you.”

So..have we forgotten what it means to truly “give thanks in all circumstances?” When it’s hot outside we complain about not having air conditioning, but don’t give thanks for the shade in our backyards or the pool your parents worked hard to buy. We complain about gas prices at the pumps, but forget to thank God for the continued funds to buy the gas needed for our boardwalk and beachside vacations. We cry over spilled milk (literally) on our throw rug, and forget to thank God that we can afford to buy the milk that junior spilled. And we complain about sitting in traffic for an hour on a hot day because of a bad accident, but don’t thank God for keeping us safe and uninvolved in the accident up ahead.

After my first day at T.I.M.S. I was reminded that I have so much to be thankful for, but more importantly I was convicted that it’s time I “give thanks IN all circumstances.” Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances. God is telling us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to thank Him no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in. That is hard to do, I’m not afraid to admit it, but it’s my quest and prayer to change that mind set (…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2) How about you?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Working with all of their hearts was exactly what the teens serving at T.I.M.S. did this past week. Each day as I traveled from work site to work site I saw first hand their determination to complete the task given to them. But their determination was not based on “look what we did,” but instead on doing the job from beginning to end in a way that would be pleasing to God.

But their main task was not to rebuild broken steps, repair handicapped ramps, or replace old pipes. No…their main task was to share the gospel with the residents of these homes.

So…each day I would approach two to three unsuspecting teens and challenge them to share their faith. And each evening during our time of worship they told their story. Though they worked hard physically they worked even harder spiritually.

This week at CRC T.I.M.S. Week #1 the real work for the Lord began when the teens shared their faith, relationships were built, and the gospel was planted. Way to go everyone!

By the way…don’t forget your challenge. I look forward to reading your stories.