Last week was not what I would describe as the pinnacle of my spiritual existence. My devotions were spotty, I found myself complaining more than contented, and my fight for joy looked more like surrender. I surely did not feel like “missionary material.”
But at church on Saturday, the gospel was displayed in prayer, song, and sermon. The gospel. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8, ESV)
Sometimes I forget how unworthy I am before God. Sometimes I feel like I am doing okay. And then God graciously allows me to have weeks like last week – why? So that I will be reminded of the amazing goodness of the gospel and fall in love with it all over again.
No, I am not “missionary material” – whatever that means. I am not super-spiritual. I am just chosen by God and made competent for ministry through Christ.
So, my theme verse as God prepares us for ministry in Zambia is: “Our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:5-6, ESV)
Derek and Kristin Dearth 