Lead into perfection

This photo was taken in the jungle when we gathered together in prayer to dedicate this newly built house to the family seated in the middle.

As of 2 weeks ago, we arrived back at our home base in Sri Racha, Thailand after being in the jungle for 6 weeks and I’m still amazed at the camaraderie we came back with and how God can move in our lives even when it doesn’t challenge us the way we had hoped it would.

Just think about it. Picture 15 students, guys and girls from different cultures, backgrounds, with unique personalities and quirks living together in the mountains in close quarters for 6 whole weeks. There’s bound to be conflict, personality clashes, stress, emotion, etc. Yet, unlike the year before, there was hardly any conflict. We worked together as a family, growing in the Word of God and in serving God’s people.

We had 1 rule which was no going into the tent during the day to relax, be lazy, or read the bible, or anything else, but to spend time outside the tent with each other, as family. This rule is usually bent and broken in every year, and yet in those 6 weeks it was not.

We grew together as family. Even when we were exhausted from a long, hard day of building a villagers house, cooking meals and washing laundry, leading children’s outreaches, and having devotions by the campfire - We would make time to sit by the fire creating memories together, growing together in relationship.

We grew in leading ourselves, leading each other, growing in relationship with God and becoming a closer knit family. I believe the secret to why it turned out so differently than expected is written below in the book of James.

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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1:2-4 (NKJV)

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When James wrote this letter, he knew that he needed to start with a promise that would help him convey the rest of his thoughts straight through till the end. This promise has everything to do with our success in ministry, in finances, and in life. The promise is this, that we can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. It is the secret to being joyful like Paul through all the trials he faced. The secret to God moving in our lives even when our planning fails.

James writes to us saying that perfection and completeness are a result of responding correctly to the struggles and challenges we face in ministry, in finances, and in life. He calls us to respond and not react, which is one of the greatest life lessons I’ve learned from my best friend Yeabsira. To respond correctly, James calls us to count it all joy, to count what God will produce in us as a joy we can live from. He calls us to know that being joyful when our faith in God is challenged produces the great reward of endurance, also known as patience. Once it is known then James ends with a call to simply, let it work. Let patience have its perfect work in you.

Next Steps:

Our combined faith and patience is what will lead us into the perfection and completeness God has called us to. As we are lead into perfection, I am asking you partner with this vision, to bless the nations of Asia. You can do this by:

1. Supporting me financially, whether it be a special gift, or monthly partnership

2. Praying and interceding for me in my efforts to further the Gospel here in Asia.

3. Connecting over coffee when I am back Canada from mid April till mid June. Email me at natesnotepad@gmail.com

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