Off to the Olympics

I haven't had very much time to think about the fact that we're leaving for a mission trip tomorrow - I've been very busy with other stuff, including my class. Yesterday I read an interesting and very good article for that class, "Apostolic Passion" by Floyd McClung. Here are some of the good points I got out of the article:

If you'll allow me to plagiarise, here is my definition: An apostle is a sent one, a messenger. Passion is whatever a person is willing to suffer for, something you hunger for so intensely that you will sacrifice anything to have it. When these two words combine, apostolic passion is a deliberate, intentional choice to live for the worship of Jesus in the nations. A person with apostolic passion is willing to suffer, so long as God is glorified through the suffering. The focus provided by that passion must solely be on God. If you have apostolic passion, the Father's passions have become your passions. You find your satisfaction and guarantee in Him. You believe He is with you always, to the end of life itself.

Another thought: "We live in a world of competing passions. If we do not die to self and fill our lives with the consuming passion of the worship of God in the nations, we will end up with other passions."

And another: "May I encourage you, dear friend, to give up your life? I challenge you to pray this prayer: 'Lord, be ruthless with me in revealing my selfish ambition and my lack of willingness to die to myself.' I guarantee that He will answer your prayer--and quickly."

Last one: "If you have apostolic passion, you are one of the most dangerous people on the planet. The world no longer rules your heart. You are no longer seduced by getting and gaining but devoted to spreading and proclaiming the glory of God in the nations. You live as a pilgram, unattached to the cares of this world. You are not afraid of loss. You even dare believe you may be given the privilege of dying to spread His fame on the earth. The Father's passions have become your passions. You find your satisfaction and significance in Him. You believe He is with you always, until the end of life itself. You are sold out to God, and you live for the Lamb. Satan fears you, and the angels applaud you. Your greatest dream is that His name will be praised in languages never before heard in heaven. Your reward is the look of pure delight you anticipate seeing in His eyes when you lay at His feet the just reward of His suffering: the worship of the redeemed. You have apostolic passion!"

Hmm...interesting things to be reading right before I go on a mission trip...

We won't know exactly what our ministry will be until we get there, but it sounds like we'll have a packed schedule. I'll share all about it when I get back!