Commended Laborers: God

“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

2 Corinthians 10:18

Have you ever wondered, “Who made that person a church leader?” Whether you have ever considered this question, positively or negatively, it is understandable to ask. When regarded positively, it reflects a compliment; when viewed negatively, it raises concerns.

In today's world, it's common to see individuals outside the church perplexed by the actions of supposedly "trusted" ministers of the gospel. Similarly, many within the church community find themselves questioning: Who assesses ministry workers concerning their theology, practices, maturity, character, competence, philosophy, and love for the people they serve?

Who is Commendable?

What truly qualifies a Christian for God’s mission? This question is entirely valid. For any other job in the world, it is a common practice for employers to inquire about references to assess the suitability of a new applicant in their company. This practice ensures the applicant is qualified for what the job requires. Why wouldn't we apply the same principle to Christ's mission?

I believe there are recurring themes in the New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians, which shed light on a missionary’s suitability.

God Commends the Worker

The danger in what I’m about to lay out in this point is that it could tend toward two polar extremes, neither of which I’m intending. One extreme would go something like this, "If I haven't personally experienced God's call, then I must not be meant for ministry!" The opposite extreme swings the pendulum in the other direction: "God instructed me to go, so I must be destined to be a missionary, regardless of others' opinions!" If not carefully considered, both of these extremes could lead potential ministry workers into challenging situations. What I'm presenting in my initial point is more of a theological foundation than anything else. Let me explain.

Not everyone has experienced a conversion and commission like the Apostle Paul whose mission was explicitly spelled out by Jesus (Acts 9). Nevertheless, regardless of how one discerns their calling to be a missionary, the Triune God is at work behind the scenes of that decision, fueling the yearning, desire, and pursuit.

We see this pattern in Jesus, who was intentional and selective in choosing His early followers (Matthew 4:18-22). We witness it in the Lord of the Harvest, the One we are instructed to pray to, asking Him to send laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:35-38). Additionally, we find it in the Spirit, who set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work, interestingly after Jesus had already called Paul (Acts 13:1-3). In a broader context, we discern that behind Titus' deep "yearning" for the Corinthians lay a sending God who had placed a concern for them in his heart (2 Cor. 8:16-17).

Understanding that God is the one behind the scenes of world missions should lay a reassuring foundation in the heart of anyone pursuing this path. He not only oversees the world in a general sense but also, in various ways, propels individual workers into His harvest. Ultimately, it is the Lord who prepares and qualifies a believer for the mission. Scripture also emphasizes that a person’s fruit and character, as well as affirmations from people like elders, church leaders, close friends, family, etc. are also important ingredients for a prospective mission worker.

Poverty of Art

“My conscious condemns me for thousands of children dying to malnutrition and preventable malaria in distant places.

But I also am aware the ten thousands of youth dying from formulaic meretricious songs.

Listeners are deceived and cheapened, musically anesthetized.”

Calvin Seerveld, “Imaginative Grit and Everlasting Art in God’s World” (Lecture)

Asking Questions at The pace of trust

One man said: “I want to become better at relationships!”

His friend replied: “Become a learner, ask questions.”

Man: “Ok!…”

“Becoming better at relationships” requires nuances of wisdom.

PNG Bird

Papua New Guinea Bird, Gouache, 8X8

During my 2013 trip to Papua New Guinea, I fell sick.

I sustained a minor concussion while swimming in the ocean. This was occurred several hours before we’d begin our overnight excursion from the city to the lowlands (the hottest place on planet earth, IMO).

Upon our arrival in the jungle, I immediately brushed against a thorny tree branch. One of our teammates noted, “they amputate limbs for those kinds of thorn attacks!”

The trip continued with more laughable stories about Matt, which my friends still talk about today (ask my friend Ron, he’ll tell you).

Contrasting these stories are the array of photos we captured during the trip.

While going through my photos recently, I came across this bird. Its beauty stirred something in me, opposite to the trip’s silliness.

There are many memories from this trip. This painting reminded me of God's delight overseeing our hardships, laughter, and playfulness.

The Will of God Made You a Christian Worker

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the Will of God…

It may sound odd to walk around telling people this when you first meet them, “Hi, I’m Matt, I came here by the will of God… no biggie.” Paul doesn’t often begin his letters this way. This letter is somewhat unique in stating this so quickly. We could name some reasons: it was for those who doubted him, for those who were being influenced by those who doubted him, and quite possibly to simply state the plain authoritative truth that God did, in fact, make him an apostle. 

For our purposes here, let’s reflect on this characteristic of God: His selection process for the mission.

God Chose a Murderer for the Mission

As you recall, Paul (Saul) had been a persecutor of the people to whom he would one day be a bondservant (Acts 8:1-3, Galatians 1:13). Just think about that for a moment. What does this teach us about the heart of God? God forgives, loves, transforms, and gives new purpose to people. The mission of God is filled with all kinds of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Whatever the content of those backgrounds, it is clear that God uses candidates from the camp of “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” He has no other camp from which to choose! 

God Desired This

To speak of God’s “will” here is to also speak of His desires. He wasn’t frowning when He chose Paul, Timothy, Peter, Charles, Andy, Oscar, Lisa, or Gloria. He is pleased to use messy people for His harvest work. I get to talk with many people interested in missions when I go to conferences to represent the cross-cultural ministry. What’s surprising about this verse is that when people usually express how they are interested in missions, it comes off as if this desire is just simply theirs. As they share their hearts and longings to go overseas, I’ve not had many people say to me, “GOD desires to make me a missional ambassador! And in this, I find great delight.” This understanding dramatically changes how we view our call to missions — that it was, first, God’s desire to appoint us to the work. This is the seed from which our own desire comes from.

Mission Workers Don’t Make Themselves

If 2 Corinthians 1:1 served as a filter for mission agencies, they might inquire of mission candidates, “When did God’s will commission you as a mission-worker?” This might sound peculiar, yet it emphasizes the truth that this is God’s mission, not yours. You actively respond to people’s prayers to the Lord of the Harvest, sent as laborers into His harvest. As an artist, my drawings don’t suddenly proclaim, “we’ve developed a great desire to be drawings!” It doesn’t work that way, and neither does God’s mission. If you feel drawn to kingdom work, that could be God’s handiwork in you!

Whatever yearning has entered your heart, recall that at one point, it did not exist. God actively possesses the power and ability to reach down into the depths of the hearts of those He has created and actively transform them, giving them new life and awakening His cosmic purpose in them.

Art Prompt from Psalm 46:8-9

What are all the desolations God has brought to your life which have ushered in peace?

Risks in Direct v. Indirect Communication

I always selected Luigi in Super Mario 2. Of the four characters to play, he felt the most natural. But what if the level requires Mario’s pounce? Peach’s float? Or Toad’s height (or lack-thereof)?

Cue our communication preference and the needs of a circumstance.

Perhaps one values an authoritative, aggressive, tell-it-how-it-is approach. Or the opposite, a more subtle posture. Direct and indirect communication has it’s pros and cons. But both carry risks.

Indirect communication:

• Aims to preserves honor within relationships.

• Risks missing what other directly wants.

Direct communication:

• Achieves information transaction.

• Risks costing the relationship.

When Jesus offended the disciples, they were offended by his teaching (Jn 6:60). Jesus did not offend them regarding policy issues, his carpet color opinion, or what time service ought to begin.

He told them to eat his flesh. 

Big difference. 

Fall(ing over myself)

And just like that, I enjoyed acrylic. In college, I dreaded color theory. And acrylic even more. It was all too confusing for me.

I felt safe with black and white, hyperrealism and pencil. But the pandemic changed all that. I’d face my fears of color.

With an challenge of 30-60 minutes per painted, I’d paint and I’d posted. I busted out my old watercolors. I grabbed my wacom tablet. I learned gouache. And here we are, nearing the end of 2023, and I am taking another stab at acrylic.

All it took was a little playfulness with family. Without any care in the world, everyone else at the table enjoyed mindlessly painting.

My kids gave me back my box of crayons.