Beyond...

As quickly as it seemed to come, so it has gone. Our time of missions emphasis, Beyond...9 days in March! is now history, but it has left an unmistakable impression in its wake. Our focus this year was that of prayer, real prayer especially on behalf of those with whom we partner throughout the world. And as we talked about prayer, learned about prayer, and had fresh opportunity for prayer, we were challenged to become more of a prayer-urgent people...something not easy for so many of us in our culture.

We had most of our 41 missionaries and missions organizations represented as they shared their stories with us, explained their unique ministries, and encouraged us to deepen our relationships and concern for them. Highlights included: a great breakfast on the 9th with valuable interaction with several missionaries, our Wednesday night Global Gathering (complete with the In-n-Out Burger truck!) and a special time of prayer for our global workers, a Friday Night at the Movies spectacular ("Inn of the Sixth Happiness," the story of China missionary Gladys Aylward) and our concluding weekend, complete with missionaries and their displays. It was especially good to have SP and Joy Daniel (from Hyderabad, India) with us again. They spoke at a number of venues, with Joy having a great chance to connect with our various women's Bible study groups.

We learned again of the needs of our brothers and sisters in so many places, and the privilege of partnership we share with them through prayer. Romans 15:30 is of particular importance to us now, as we read of Paul's challenge to the Roman church to join him in his struggle by praying for him. We may not ever make it to Austria, Kenya, Chile, Indonesia China, or any of the other places we support workers, but we can join these faithful ones in their work, their struggle, by praying for them. This way, we all have a part to play in getting the message of hope in Christ to a world in such desperate need.

The nine days were good, but our hope- really, our need- is to take what God has shown us and go beyond these nine days, allowing Him to shift and shape our lives and actions to reflect His global heart and purpose. Maybe John Piper said it best- "Go, send or disobey."

It's that simple, and we do well not to complicate it.