Thoughts on Being Scattered
YWAM in Panama is going through a whole new stage. In a little over a year we have gone from one base, to four bases, with individuals, like us, going out from the bases in minister in other areas of the country. Basically, we are being scattered.
But most of us didn't really want it to happen. It was fun to all be together on one base, with lots of friends to share your vision, and many hands to make light work. It was great. Until it all started to change.
Our former director, Richard Tracy, and his wife, felt the call to move out and pioneer a new base in the Chiriqui province. Leaving new leaders in charge here, they went out. Just months later, another team, made up of two families, were sent out to start an urban base in the middle of Panama City. Then other staff began to feel to pull to move out, and settle closer to the people they feel called to reach.
Then, before we knew what was happening, Alex and I sensed that we too were being pushed out of the nest. We knew that the time had come to stop just going out to the communities, and become part of them.
This whole process has been a little scary and not without some confusion and stress. It makes me think of the tower of Babel in the Bible. People had a great plan, one big, happy family. But God had another plan in mind. They didn't quite understand. Or if they did, they thought their plan was better. Construct a tower, make a name for ourselves. So God came down and changed their plans.
He had something else in mind.
We see the same sort of thing in the book of Acts. Jesus told his disciples to go out and preach to the ends of the earth. But, well, I guess that seemed a little scary. They were really having a nice time sharing with other Christians in Jerusalem. Again, one big, happy family. They too were resisting the scattering. So again, God came in and gave them a little push. Persecution broke out, and before you knew it, Christians were heading out all over the known world, sharing the good news. It took them quite awhile to understand God's intentions.
I feel like we are in the same boat. We know that God wants us to go to the ends of the earth, but sometimes we would rather just stay around the campfire and sing "Kumba ya." There is pain in saying goodbye to friends, even when you know that it's the right step for them. Stepping out yourself is even harder, even when you know that God is saying, "Jump", and your only answer is too obey.
So here we are, being scattered, not to the far corners of the earth, but at least to the far corners of Panama. Thrilled about what God is doing, afraid of the unknown, trusting in his provision and direction. Jumping, knowing he will catch us everyday.
But most of us didn't really want it to happen. It was fun to all be together on one base, with lots of friends to share your vision, and many hands to make light work. It was great. Until it all started to change.
Our former director, Richard Tracy, and his wife, felt the call to move out and pioneer a new base in the Chiriqui province. Leaving new leaders in charge here, they went out. Just months later, another team, made up of two families, were sent out to start an urban base in the middle of Panama City. Then other staff began to feel to pull to move out, and settle closer to the people they feel called to reach.
Then, before we knew what was happening, Alex and I sensed that we too were being pushed out of the nest. We knew that the time had come to stop just going out to the communities, and become part of them.
This whole process has been a little scary and not without some confusion and stress. It makes me think of the tower of Babel in the Bible. People had a great plan, one big, happy family. But God had another plan in mind. They didn't quite understand. Or if they did, they thought their plan was better. Construct a tower, make a name for ourselves. So God came down and changed their plans.
He had something else in mind.
We see the same sort of thing in the book of Acts. Jesus told his disciples to go out and preach to the ends of the earth. But, well, I guess that seemed a little scary. They were really having a nice time sharing with other Christians in Jerusalem. Again, one big, happy family. They too were resisting the scattering. So again, God came in and gave them a little push. Persecution broke out, and before you knew it, Christians were heading out all over the known world, sharing the good news. It took them quite awhile to understand God's intentions.
I feel like we are in the same boat. We know that God wants us to go to the ends of the earth, but sometimes we would rather just stay around the campfire and sing "Kumba ya." There is pain in saying goodbye to friends, even when you know that it's the right step for them. Stepping out yourself is even harder, even when you know that God is saying, "Jump", and your only answer is too obey.
So here we are, being scattered, not to the far corners of the earth, but at least to the far corners of Panama. Thrilled about what God is doing, afraid of the unknown, trusting in his provision and direction. Jumping, knowing he will catch us everyday.
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