Since I joined Facebook last September, I've reconnected with many old high school and college friends. Its been like an internet reunion! Most recently, I found another high school friend named Tony, who I haven't heard from since we graduated. Come to find out, he and his family have been missionaries in a large city in Mexico for a number of years.
I was on Facebook late one night this past weekend, when he popped up on the IM feature, to say hi. Wow, I thought, its Tony, down in Mexico right now! Ah, the wonders of modern technology...
We "conversed" for the better part of an hour, catching up with each other's family and ministry. As we dialogued, I found he works among the poorest of poor in the city, meeting people where they are and meeting their needs with the love of Christ. He said we are in similar situations, serving those the world and the church often neglect or at least don't prioritize. I told him I thought the work he does is much more heart-breaking and emotionally draining than what I do. He sees so much pain, illness, poverty and wickedness down there, I can't even conceive of.
I told him I would pray for him, his family and his work. And I plan to keep my word.
I found his blog online, and his last two entries were about faith & doubt. He struggles, as we all do at times, with questions- what am I doing down here? Am I really making a difference? Did God really call me to this? Is He with me? Am I really doing His will? Then he understands, as I so often come back to, that "we walk by faith, and not by sight." As we keep walking, keep working, God keeps leading, He keeps using us, to further His Kingdom. And He confirms it in our hearts, in the little things day to day, in His Word, and in our hearts.
The solution to doubts? Keep walking.
Now, when I get down on myself, or get selfish or self-centered, I think of Tony, serving Christ down on the streets of a city in Mexico, devoting his life to serving Christ by serving "the least of these." May I so honor Christ in my own life and ministry.