Harder Than I Thought

Been thinking about this for sometime now, and am finally getting started. (I think!) Already it's disconcerting because there are lots of spelling and grammar errors but no red or green squggly lines, and no auto correct (I may not even bother to try to correct all the "adn" and "teh" errors.)

But... who and what is an ambassador in exile? Funny you should ask. Some years ago the Apostle Paul hit me on the head with Ephesians 6:19,20: "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should". (NIV). That's where the ambassador part comes in . Last year, Jeremiah 29:7 ("Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper".(NIV)) was responsible for another AHA MOMENT. We may not be in exile here in Ogden, but sometimes it seems like it. The important part is that God has put us here for a reason, and He has something planned for us and the city where we are or are not in exile. It's up to us to be ready for it whenever it happens. For many of us here at FBC, it gets confusing since in the time that many of us have been here, the city and the neighborhood have changed dramatically. So here I am, wanting like Paul to be an Ambassador for the mystery of the gospel, and sometimes feeling like I've been sent into exile. But we keep praying for the city, and sometimes we get to see answers to our prayers.

Whatever the day brings, exile or center of the city, amabassador in chains, or with all the rights and privileges, I have to remember that God is still in control, and His perfect plan will be accomplished in His perfect time. In the meanwhile, I take the steps that lead to whatever goal He has in front of me, and try to be ready for the next assignment, even if it keeps me in chains or sends me into exile.

So wherever I am, I want to have the courage to proclaim the Mysteries of the Gospel, and as that happens to be able to see the city of exile prosper.

So ends the first attempt: either it will get better or I'll quit, but at least I'm trying :-)