First person: Disrupted plans don’t disrupt our callings
By Stella McMillian
International Mission Board
My bags were packed. My goodbyes were said. I was ready to start my second term serving with the International Mission Board in East Asia. All I was waiting on was my Taiwanese visa, sure to arrive any day.
Then I got an unexpected call from the embassy.
The good news? The visa had been approved. The bad news? It was approved the same day the borders in Taiwan closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. I wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
I’m not the only IMB worker unexpectedly kept from my place of service by this pandemic. Some of us have been displaced by travel restrictions, others by medical needs that necessitate relocating.
One thing we all have in common, however, is separation from people God has burdened us for by circumstances we can’t control.
Thankfully, this season will likely be temporary. By God’s grace, one day this pandemic will end. For some, these separations are far more permanent.
In just a few short years as a missionary, I’ve heard more stories than I ever expected of coworkers who had to leave ministries they loved far sooner than they would have planned.
No matter what, believers are first and foremost called to God Himself. Like the prophet Habakkuk, we can rejoice in the Lord “though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines.”
For the believer, the Lord is an unshakable refuge strong enough to bear us up through any storm. Our calling to know and love Him never changes.
No matter what, believers are also called to each other. Scripture describes the church as a body for a reason. We are called to be united in Christ and to bear each other’s joys and sorrows.
This seems so fundamental, but it really came to life for me this last year when I needed help from the believers in my life more than ever before. Countless times and in countless ways, they were God’s provision to support and strengthen me as I navigated difficult decisions and transitions.
No matter what, we are called to proclaim the gospel. Scripture tells us to “always be ready to give an answer” when we are asked about the hope we have. Nothing can disrupt this calling, not even being quarantined during a pandemic.
Though the family members I’m staying with currently are all believers, just a few days ago, an unbelieving friend from my old city messaged me. She said she’d been reading her Bible and wanted help understanding Romans.
I can’t travel, go to church or even visit my grandmother right now, but I can still share my faith. My friend and I are entire continents apart, but God has graciously opened a door for me to share truth with her. Our calling to proclaim the gospel never changes.
A year like this is almost comical, with so many ups and downs rounding out with yet another unforeseen change of plans. I know I’m not alone in that. Disrupted lives are a shared frustration around the world these days.
We can’t control much right now, but as believers we can press on faithfully in the steadfast callings on our lives even as we wait for this season to pass.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Stella McMillian is an IMB worker and contributing writer. Name has been changed for security reasons.
Response to Explore the Bible commentary on Romans 14
I must firmly disagree with Rob Jackson on his application of “freedom in Christ” in the May 21 issue.
“Freedom in Christ” behaviors apply to preference items which are not specifically stated in Scripture as right or wrong.
This does not give license to waive clear commands, such as the Ten Commandments. Otherwise, as many do, we could justify breaking all of God’s laws, including prohibiting the casual use of God’s name, murder, adultery, stealing, lying and coveting.
The fourth commandment orders us to do no work on the Sabbath. For those who wish to claim mowing grass and washing cars is not work, we are commanded to give no appearance of evil and to give no opportunity for unbelievers to judge our behaviors as duplicitous, giving occasion to mock God. We cannot honor or love God through disobedience to His clear commands, contradicting biblical truth. To shop electively (non-emergently) on Sabbath supports, encourages and even forces others to break God’s law forbidding work on Sabbath. We have all been thankful for those who provide essential services on Sabbath to meet occasional emergent needs, which may have been our fault for not tying “the ox” up properly in preparation for Sabbath, but this should not be routine behavior for a Christian’s convenience.
Yes, we do not condemn the disobedient, whether rebellious or simply ignorant, because God is the Judge and our law is love. We are commanded to forgive. However, we must always discern what is right and wrong based on Scripture and behave accordingly.
Bob Cosby
Birmingham, Ala.
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Letters to the Editor
My heart is heavy. Where do I start, and how do I keep it short?
After reading the June 11, 2020, issue, I must respond.
I became a police officer in March of 1962. I retired in 1989. In that time as command officer, I learned a little about how those in the thin blue line think.
None I ever knew wanted to take another person’s life. No matter how right or wrong, when an officer takes a life, his or her life is changed forever for the worse. Not one word of prayer is in TAB for the ones that protect and defend us.
Aren’t the officers involved presumed innocent until proven guilty? Aren’t they deserving of their day in court? The most vile offender would be.
As long as the SBC, TAB and major media demonize the police, soon all you will have for police are demons.
Lt. Anthony C. Berry (ret.)
Foley, Ala.
Thanks for posting a statement regarding the death of the citizen at police hands.
Now please post a statement supporting the law enforcement personnel in Alabama as they attempt to restore order.
Anarchy will result in more lives of all colors being lost. And there won’t be any churches to go to.
First Confederate monuments taken down, next Founding Fathers monuments, next places of worship.
Dennis Ferrell
Alabama native
Oro Valley, Ariz.
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“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favors.”
George Washington
U.S. president
We all have many difficulties, many troubles, and our woes;
But that’s just the way things are, the way that each life goes.
I’m really, really thankful for my family and each friend,
Who are there to encourage when there seems to be no end.
Just the simple words, “I love you” sometimes is all we need,
To soothe a broken heart, that can lift us up indeed.
So Lord as I’m reflecting, for this is what I pray;
Use me to encourage someone else along the way.
It may not be a lot of trouble or cost a single dime,
Just to tell someone I prayed for them and spend a little time.
So Lord help me take the blessings of encouragement to me,
And share them now with someone else, for this is what I plea.
Charlie Button
Huntsville, Ala.
One thing that hasn’t changed in my 45 years of ministry — relationships. That phone call, that personal touch, nothing can compare to that.
Jamie Baldwin
State Board of Missions
In the last election cycle, I voted for the candidate I felt was the least bad candidate. … The reality is there is no perfect candidate. POTUS does not stand for Pastor of the United States but for President of the United States. We must realize every president is a human with the flaws and ills of humanity. … Jesus is not running for President. … Therefore no matter who runs and is ultimately elected, they will always be the least bad candidate.
Marshal Ausberry
SBC first vice president
A lot of us, we are not listening to understand. We are listening to respond.
Pastor Terry Scalzitti
Ocean View BC
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The one great crime on the part of the disciple, according to Jesus Christ, is worry. Whenever we begin to calculate without God, we commit sin.
Oswald Chambers
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From the Twitterverse
@SpenceSpencer01
Keep all things in perspective: Jesus is still on the throne.
@timkellernyc
The gospel changes everything.
@PaulTripp
God will expose the inadequacy of where you’ve placed your hope while he gives you hope that will never shame or fail you.
@lecrae
Just out here trying to be the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. If we aren’t going to serve our neighbor, shame on us for standing by critiquing them.
@MichaelCatt
It’s easier to point fingers at those we disagree with than it is to look in the mirror and ask Jesus what He thinks of what I’m thinking. Bill Stafford use to say, “Take everything to the cross.”
@drtonyevans
Hope is where you’re going. Not where you are or where you’ve been. Take heart. Hope again.
@imTerenceLester
You’re not wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.
@Blackwell_Kevin
Much of our cultural ills can be traced back to the breakdown of the family. God’s design still works — godly husband discipling his family to know Scripture, love God and live obediently. We must get back to His original plan!
@brocraigc
It won’t be long until pastors, worship pastors and student and children’s pastors all across @EtowahBaptist will spring into action preaching the gospel, exalting Christ and connecting online and in person. Thank you. I’m grateful for you. I’m praying for you. #thisismyneighborhood
@richardblackaby
True leaders solve problems. That is their calling. It is not to blame others for the problems, or to make empty promises about dealing with problems. It is to face issues head on, and resolve them.
@bobgoff
We shouldn’t say everyone’s invited if we’re going to act like they’re not welcome when they come.
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