Going About Doing Good - Or Just Going About?

Recently we were introduced to a young businessman whom the world would term as highly successful and has everything going for him. His company is doing well, he has everything he needs – home, wife, kids, cars, connections and a great future as he wisely uses his entrepreneurial skills.

But he has been acutely aware that something is missing and a good friend had been sharing his own experiences with the Holy Spirit. Now we too had the opportunity to share with him and something he said told us exactly where he’s at. He has faith in God but said, ‘If going around in this life before heaven is all there is to it, then what’s it all about? What are we here for?’

It was a delight to pray for the infilling of the Spirit to fill this seeker of truth and reality and to be led into a purposeful life for Christ.

Serving others
Every now and then, as we minister to churches or individuals, we’re led to quote the words of Toyohiko Kagawa (1888 –1960) – the originator of the challenge encapsulated in our title above. Some years ago we discovered they symbolised the lifestyle of this visionary who revered Jesus and God’s word.

This insightful Japanese avidly followed the teachings of Christ, believing that Christianity in action was the truth behind Christian doctrines. As a young man attending Kobe Theological Seminary, he was so troubled by seminarians’ concern for the technicalities of religious doctrine that he would repeatedly refer to the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In reality this parable demonstrates real Christianity in action, the one who is able to help being available to meet needs, and not expecting or demanding anything in return. Rather being willing to go further than the initial contact, to provide follow-up.

Later in life, Toyohiko Kagawa once boldly referred to scripture when he dared to say to his nation’s ‘godlike’ ruler: ‘Emperor Hirohito, “Whosoever will be great among you...shall be the servant of all.” A ruler's sovereignty, Your Majesty, is in the hearts of the people. Only by service to others can a man, or nation, be godlike.’ 

 Toyohiko Kagawa (c 1920)

Real Christianity
That was Toyohiko Kagawa’s own lifestyle - serving others. He became a successful businessman entrepreneur who influenced many, not only in Japan but also abroad, including Fletcher Jones, ‘Australia’s clothing king.’

Concerned with people’s misery in life at home, he went around seeking how he could bless many and give them hope for a better future. 

A social reformer, peace activist, political prisoner, evangelist and author Kagawa is reported as saying: ‘I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.’

That should really hit it on the head as far as a lot of Christians, especially ministers, are concerned! So many of us are indeed content with the status quo and miss out on God’s greater picture for our lives, skills and abilities. And so many times churches expect people to come to their Sunday services before they will communicate the love and caring of God in a meaningful way. There is a wrong attitude of ‘Come first to my Sunday turf, then I’ll look at yours.’

Good Samaritan Christians/churches
The Good Samaritan parable is indeed an outstanding example of going out there beyond the church walls and it seems that quite a few churches have bought into it. This is good news for those without hope, without a personal relationship with Christ and feeling that they have no one to turn to for assistance. Especially those who for various reasons, perhaps sick family, a threatening spouse, or transport, just can’t get out on a Sunday.

Personally, we feel like Toyohiko Kagawa - not satisfied with just going about but desiring to go about doing good wherever and however we can with the Holy Spirit’s help. This means, at times, going out of our way, going beyond the famous second mile.

And why? Because according to Jeremiah 29:11, God has a wonderful future organised for all who will seek his face, listen to his directions and go for it. 

Toyohiko Kagawa’s life story is an incredible one. It certainly inspires us, as does (even more so) the example of Jesus – We’re never satisfied with just ‘going about!’ We want to be involved in whatever God has ordained for us. We’ll always be open to whatever new challenges he has for us both in general life and ministry itself. In a nutshell, this means that we desire to achieve what will bless others and be meaningful to the kingdom.

We trust that young businessman will very quickly find his purpose in life as he allows the Spirit to speak to his heart. His potential to bless humanity is stupendous!

Being effective for Jesus
We deliberately call our ministry of encouragement and inspiration Life Focus. Regularly – in mentoring, casual conversation, preaching or seminars - we tell people, even non-Christians: ‘Life is a gift...focus on it and live it to the max! Don’t waste one day!’

Our own first-up daily prayer? ‘Lord, let this day be effective for you through Holy Spirit’s anointing and direction.’ Then we live the day as normal, not under any pressure, but being available for the Lord and, importantly, sensitive to his Holy Spirit. 

This doesn’t mean going around being super-spiritual before everyone and Bible-bashing them into a false salvation or forcing them to go to church. 

Rather we just take every opportunity the Holy Spirit organises for us to meet people and simply bless them. Blessing – to us this means speaking a God-word, a kind word into people’s lives and encouraging them through being sensitive to the Spirit who can tell us where they’re at and what they need to hear. 

 

We encourage every Christian to activate a lifestyle like Toyohiko Kagawa did as he followed the example of Jesus: ‘It is very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.’ This leads to being meaningfully effective for Jesus.

Not Home Yet

There’s a story that’s been around from our Sunday school days an unsourced missionary homecoming story that has been retold over the years by many encouragers in various ways. But basically it goes something like this.

A couple were returning to the States to retire after toiling for years in what we kids had been told was ‘Darkest Africa.’ Not been over-successful in their missionary service they were unknowns compared to such ‘greats’ as Dr David Livingstone. But they’d been faithful to their calling and had laboured on toiling hard.

Discouragement
Now they were both suffering from ill-health, defeated mentally and spiritually and, having neither finance nor pension, felt so exhausted, uneasy and discouraged.

Suddenly, they had the biggest surprise. When the ship that had carried them from Africa docked and they were coming down the gangway, they observed a large band playing heartily. The mayor, city dignitaries and crowds were gathered in greeting.

‘Oh, we’re being recognised,’ exclaimed the tired missionary to his wife, ‘and we thought no one knew us, no one cared.’

His delight was immediately shattered as the truth dawned and more disappointment swept over him crushingly.

The welcoming homecoming turned out to be for the man who smilingly passed by in front of them - President Teddy Roosevelt, returning from one of his safaris! No one paid any attention to the returning missionaries. 

Disappointment
Disappointed the old missionary commented to his wife, ‘We’ve given our lives in faithful service for God all these many years and nobody cares about us.’ 

His wife sought to encourage him not to feel that way, but despondently he replied, ‘Can’t help it. It just isn’t right.’ 

Quietly they disembarked unnoticed, disappeared in the crowd, and found a cheap unit. That night the man's spirit broke. He admitted, ‘I can't take this anymore. God isn’t treating us fairly.’ 

Wisely his loving wife suggested, ‘Why don't you go quietly into the bedroom and tell the Lord - direct?’ 

Dragging himself off, he did so. It was only a short time later that he reappeared, but his expression was completely different. ‘What happened?’ asked his surprised wife. ‘You’re so at ease, so at peace.’

‘I told God how bitter I was that someone else received such a tremendous homecoming, that no one met nor knew us or welcomed us home. Suddenly I sensed the Lord putting his hand on my shoulder and saying quietly but simply: “You're not home yet!”’ 

Determination
Discouragement and disappointment are facts of life. They can hit anyone at any time, even Christians. Those in church ministry especially can get slammed every now and then by unthinking and uncaring people. Particularly by our arch-enemy, Satan. We all need caring friends, encouraging reminders and to stay humble.

We also need to realise than we’re not alone in such experiences. Recalling scriptures such as Paul’s advice is so helpful: ‘Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns’ (Philippians 4:6 Message).

In the previous chapter (v12 MKJV), he writes about the need to press forward despite everything: ‘I am pressing on, if I may lay hold of that for which I also was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.’ 

In chapter 3: verses14-17 (Message), Paul shares encouragingly: ‘I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.’

Destiny

In all of life, we need to be on the right track, stick to our destiny and keep pressing forward. Christians especially are called to the greatest commission of all … faithfully serving the master, Jesus, despite every disappointment and discouragement that comes along.

May we be determined to being faithful until we hear the personal welcome greeting from the one who set an outstanding example by pressing on to win the greatest prize of all on our behalf…salvation for all humankind. 

And what a welcome that will be as Jesus exclaims with delight: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! ... Come and share your master's happiness!'  (Matt. 25:21). 

Only then will it all be over and only then will we have really arrived home.

Being Creative

Recently we received a link called Alarm Clock with an intriguing comment: ‘Be careful during sleeping!’

Enjoy watching it; you’ll get the point very quickly. It’s quite short so you’ll wise up promptly amid some laughing. It’s very creatively funny and led us to share the following.

For many years we’ve heard Christians complain of too much hype in churches, extensive showiness, excessive entertaining but no any real biblical teaching or Holy Spirit presence.

The reality is twofold: We do need the presence of the miracle working Spirit and ministers and departmental leaders need to be with-it in respect of preaching and teaching. Leaders must be awake to what is really going on and not be expecting congregations, especially children to understand deep matters, that it’s the ministers’ calling to study, search out and make plain in meaningful, creative ways.

This is particularly so in children’s ministry. Kids today are so engrossed with incredible, ever-developing technology – computers, games, iPods, tablets and such. We need to capture their imagination! And to ensure that they really know God and his ways requires that we are open to every available attention-grabbing means of reaching them.

Early days of personal creativity
My (Robert) own ministry really began decades ago in what our church called Junior Prayer/Bible Study Nights. My development led to spending most nights away travelling elsewhere around various little rented halls. The purpose was to share Jesus with hundreds of unchurched kids that parents ‘were delighted to have out of home for a while.’

But, willing as I was, there was neither financial support nor, more especially, available good material. I resorted to creating my own stories and drawing coloured pictures of characters in action. No computers back then, never mind PowerPoint facilities. I longed for creative material.

How times have changed!

Ample materials today
Today many creative children’s leaders are led by the Spirit to boldly present Jesus to kids using whatever means are available. To encourage kids to know the word of God, to stand on it and also to know the Holy Spirit and move in the gifts.

Wise ministries encourage other leaders of kids’ ministries to be similarly creative. After all, the God we serve is the all-creative one but for too long churches have put up with second best or little creativity while all the time kids are mesmerised and engrossed daily in their techno world.

Absence of quality material was a challenge Maureen’s sister and her husband, Dorothy and Ken Gardiner, Life4Kids (life4kids@bigfoot.com.au) actively pursued for years, creating great teaching material, especially their outstanding, unique High Five Divorce for Kids Program.

Similarly our good friend, Becky Fisher, Kids in Ministry International kidsinministry@yahoo.com  has worked creatively and apostolically among even unchurched children, seeing them anointed in the Spirit and then moving in the gifts.

God is moving on and through children today and wise leaders are locating or creating great material to teach kids principles from his word.

Grabbing attention
Imagine our delight recently one Sunday, when free from our itinerant ministry and able to attend our base church, Waterfront Christian Church, Geelong we observed the children’s ministry leader, Robyn Heyhorn, introduce two ‘team members.'

Robyn announced, ‘We teach the children how to hear God’s voice and know it above all others.  They need to hear from God for themselves. These are exciting times and we’re teaching our kids how to pray for victory in their lives. We ensure the children really know that he wants to speak to them and that they can expect he will. And he does - and then they share what God said to them or maybe a picture he has given.’

Then up to the platform came a recognisable figure, not unlike little like the famous Inspector Clouseau. As you can imagine, the kids were thrilled – and so were we adults!

'Detective McClure'
Robyn explained, ‘Detective McClure is a great detective so grounded in the word of God that his desire is to teach children to be seekers of the truth and, in looking for solutions, will keep pointing them back to God’s word.’

As the kids looked on intrigued she added, ‘Detective McClure will also reinforce that the Bible has the ability to solve every problem. He’ll help equip you to stand on the word. He’ll come into Kids’ Church unexpectedly and unannounced, interacting with you all with “Why?” questions.’

A right 'Wally'!
Suddenly up popped a most mischievous black sheep raising laughter as he fooled around a bit.

Robyn told everyone: ‘Although Wally can be a bit naughty and make the children laugh, being open to instruction he can also teach them respect and how to adopt a learning style. They’ll learn and grow alongside Wally as he’ll have understanding at the same level as theirs.’ 

Encouragement
All kids love intrigue, being inquisitive, fun and laughter. Thus ingenious creativity such as Detective McClure and Wally are welcome additions to any kids’ ministry team.

Aware how important children’s ministry is in every church, we encourage every children’s ministry leader to prayerfully consider using whatever other up-to-date intriguing facilities God leads them to that will ensure our kids grow in God.

And…getting back to the alarm clock: Let’s not get cut out sleeping! We all need to be aware of what’s going down today and where adults are at, let alone kids. Preachers too must be down-to-earth as we present biblical truths to people who have never been to church as well as to church attenders.