Mission Connexion 2013

I attended Mission Connexion for the first time on Saturday, and was instantly impressed by . . . the biggest crowd I've ever been a part of!  Taking part in worship along with such a multitude was like a little taste of heaven, as well as making me feel rather small.  But aside from that, I came away from that long day with a few valuable thoughts . . .

1. Listen!

It seemed I heard this word in every session and workshop, and it became clear to me that listening well takes a lot of work.  To listen to other people without interrupting with my thoughts, my advice, my story, to listen to God without being distracted by my ideas, my interpretations, my plans -- it's hard!  I need practice to just shut up and pay close attention in order to learn from what I hear.  Along with that . . .

2. Be Humble

In one small group I was a part of, I happened to be the only one with personal experience pertaining to the subject at hand, and I ended up dominating the conversation -- a rarity for me!  I had plenty of applicable stories, illustrations, and knowledge to share, but I realized that I felt somehow above my fellows, as if my superior learning was my own doing.  That was a shocker, but a good reminder -- all of the circumstances that make up my unique experience were orchestrated by God.  I have to be careful that even bragging on Him is truly meant for His glory!

3. Joy Motivates

One of the keynote speakers shared very inspiring stories of how God used her through intense inner and outer conflict, and what struck me most about her was her radiant joy, even when speaking of her crushing loss.  In a conversation later, I was reminded that ultimately, our motive for everything we do is that we believe it will bring us joy, either now or in the future.  Even Jesus had this motive (Hebrews 12:2).  The Christian life may be difficult, missions may cost us everything, but the joy to come will be worth it all!

I wasn't expecting to come away with these thoughts -- in fact, I hadn't predetermined what I wanted to learn at all.  (It sounds silly, and maybe I'm the only one, but I do it sometimes.)  I think that when we're willing to learn whatever God has to teach us, we pay more attention to His little reminders.  I'm listening!