Day 19- The Desires of Our Heart
On Day 18, Dr. Packer dropped some truth on us and we took a look at Joseph’s life from Genesis. God’s equipping for our call to ministry does not come easily. Does that mean because it’s hard, we give up? No, it does not…we press on.
Over the last couple of days, I shared how God was working in my life to call me into Sign Interpreting to the Deaf. At the same time, God was doing a work in Ron’s life as well. I have asked him to share his call with you today. Now, here’s Ron…
As Christa shared, I felt called into full-time ministry but had no idea what that call might be. Everyday, I would attend seminary classes to learn theology and evangelism strategies. I had a friend that was in class with me named Marty. He was studying the Mandarin Chinese language to become a missionary in Southeast Asia. He was a country boy with a heavy Georgia accent. So, to hear him attempt Mandarin was amusing at times.
One day, Marty said, “man, I’m working so hard to learn Mandarin so I can share the gospel on the mission field… And it made me think of how hard it must be for you to be learning Sign Language so you can share the gospel with your son.”
That statement was a dagger of conviction through my heart. While Christa was picking up Sign Language at an exponential rate and so was Ryan. I had fallen into complacency. I knew enough to get by and have basic conversations with Ryan. But, I knew that I was not equipped to share the gospel, or share the Bible with Ryan.
In that moment, I realized that it wouldn’t matter if I reached the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I could not share the gospel with my own son in his heart language of ASL, I was a failure.
I repented of my complacency and asked Christa to teach me more Sign Language. I began to grow in my sign skills through conversations with the Deaf at our church. It was not long before I stepped way out of my comfort zone and started teaching the Deaf Bible Study on Sunday mornings.
It was during this time, I was doing some research regarding the Deaf. I learned that only 2% of the Deaf in North America are born again believers in Jesus Christ. I, also, learned that 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. My burden for the Deaf was growing. This was the beginning of God unveiling His call upon my life, which would include ministry with the Deaf .
Most importantly, I was being equipped to disciple and lead both of my sons to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. The days I baptized Ryan (us both using sign language), and then baptized Landon (both using our voices) are two of the most deeply profound God-moments of my life.
- Read Psalm 37:3-7
What three things are we to do in verse 3?
If you delight in The Lord…what will He give you?
Write out verse 5:
(Hi, Christa again.) It was difficult to watch Ron struggle during this season of God’s call on his life. He was so burdened by his daily schedule of seminary, work, and balancing family. Adding in-depth Sign Language class to his list was quite overwhelming. Ron persevered, and God gave him the desire of his heart…to take the lead in actively discipling our sons in voice and Sign.
God longs to give us the desires of our heart…He’s our Abba, Daddy. But, our heart’s desires must begin to resemble His heart. Many want to take this verse out of context. God will not honor requests born out of selfishness, pride, or vain conceit. When our hearts begin to become enmeshed with His, then and only then do the desires of our heart become Christ-like. Hence, He will give us the desires of our heart…to know Him and make Him known.
Any time our hearts’ desire becomes others focused and not self focused, we are beginning to look and act more like Daddy each day. God will call you to ministries that are others focused. Why?! So that His gospel goes forth. We were created to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Pray and ask Jesus to show you areas of your life that need to look more like Him. Beg Him for a heart that loves others like He does. The EGR’s (Extra Grace Required) in your life need you too. Let’s be honest, it’s gonna take Jesus working in us to love them, right?! 🙂
Keep up the good work! The Lord is gonna use you in powerful ways. Praying you feel His mighty hand leading you today.
