Day 41

In my study recently I have been looking at study, simplicity + solitude and submission + service. The first 2 weeks if this were fine but the last week hit me really hard. You would be surprised perhaps that Richard Foster considers some of these, and others I have previously listed, to fall under the category of "disciplines". You think to yourself ‘But that's so easy! I love doing that! How can you call that a 'discipline' if it's not hard and painful?’ Except that what comes easy for some people comes hard for others. To me, solitude is like a refreshing drink when I'm dying of thirst. To some, spending even a short time alone is "a fate worse than death." Therefore, I have found some of the things which the author discusses very easy to do while others have been more of a challenge.

Next week I am going to go over the concept of Christian Service again: this is a chapter which has really challenged me and I think that especially considering the role that I have at the moment through mission placement that I need to examine this in my heart.

As a Bless student I signed an agreement which contained the following explanation:

The P.A.R.I.S. framework for service in mission

The PARIS framework has been developed as a simple and memorable training tool to emphasise that all effective mission needs to be based on an attitude of a servant heart. The framework forms the basis of all Year2Bless and Go2Bless programmes, and asks participants to reflect on five core values.

#5 SERVANTHOOD is the concept that brings all the rest together. It is an easy thing to talk about, but is hard to deliver when you are tired, homesick, stressed, nervous, hungry and well past the end of your tether. Servanthood is the belief that the success, comfort, personal fulfilment and spiritual development of others come before your own. Servanthood recognises that whilst a mission trip may do you good - in terms of experience, development, growth, enjoyment and satisfaction - its primary purpose is to do some good in the location to which you have travelled. There is mutual benefit in mission, but there is also a clear sense of priority. Servanthood captures the ‘kenosis’ or self-emptying of mission attributed to Jesus in Philippians Chapter 2.

Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.

This, and the chapter in the book, have really challenged me.

Please pray that as I approach this coming study day that I may have and open heart to what God wants to teach me, that I am able to see my faults and sins but also that God is gracious and helps me to see that His help and support is always available and His mercy will always help me to move forwards and change. Please pray that what I learn and hear from God goes into my heart and I have a true understanding of this that manifests itself in my daily life and attitude.