Matthew 10 Devotional Sharing by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint – Berkeley):
Matthew 10:9-11
9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. 11″Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.”
This passage tells me the proper perspective I should have regarding evangelistic endeavors. It’s very comforting to know that there are people whom God prepared—a “worthy person” who will open up his home to the disciples. God knows each person and God is actively working on people’s hearts to draw them to Himself. He often sends us to people He has prepared and we end up experiencing the joy of reaping where we did not sow. I see that evangelism is joining God where he is already at work. As I think about the kinds of responses that we have been getting at Austin and Davis or here in Berkeley or SF, we know that it’s not entirely due to our efforts. It’s so easy to over-estimate our own efforts, and to think, after big events like the New Student Welcome Night that we hosted on the various campuses, that it’s all about our organizational skills, human resources and years of ministry experience. But we would be utterly wrong to actually believe this. Our God is always at his work to this day (John 5:17) and there is so much that happens well before people step into any of our events or bible studies and we are just another link in a long chain of events and people that God uses to bring people to salvation.
As we have begun another season of reaching out to the many college students, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and feel like we don’t have what it takes to minister to all students that God is sending to our various ministries. What should be our attitude? We need to trust that God has already been actively at work in their lives. Secondly, we need to trust that our God is able to more than abundantly provide for all of our needs. Why did Jesus tell his disciples not to take anything on this mission trip? I think he wanted them to realize that it’s not about them but about relying on God who sends them and provides them with all that they need.
Thank you for your sharing! Also thank you to you & Pastor Ed for taking the time to meet with us (Praxis) today to give us guidance & motivation!! It’s really not us but God working in our midst.
By: Jen Tse on September 19, 2009
at 9:08 pm
Thank you for your consistent DT sharings Kelly! I’ve really benefited from reading them, especially after a long day of school or a discouraging experience. It’s so comforting to be able to rest in God’s word. With respect to Matthew 10, I’m starting to realize that “the workers are few” because we’re tethered by worries about preparing provisions instead of trusting God. As graduation approaches, and I’m starting to feel anxious about career, I know I need to untether myself from these worries and fully utilize my senior year to be that fork in the road of someone’s life.
By: Calvin on September 20, 2009
at 11:50 pm
I am thankful we have a God whom we can trust to supply our every need and help us do the work He calls us to because we’re inadequate. Sometimes its easy to fall into depending on my own strength, personality, etc to attract people. But at the end of the day, no matter what I say or do can change hearts. It’s the word of God and his holy spirit that can change people.
By: md on September 21, 2009
at 10:48 am
This is so true. I can testify this personally because God used so many different people to touch my life before and after I come to faith in Him. Praise God that He carries out His salvation plan tirelessly.
By: Shufei on September 22, 2009
at 10:10 am