MODELING

David is a model worker.  He has tried doing them all; the NGO model, CPM model, contextualization model, prayer model, BAM model, B4T model. David remarked to me recently, nothing seems to work – and he is right.

God has chosen to use people to make His glory known throughout the world, but He has never been dependent on us to do that.  It’s God’s work and it must be done God’s way.  For example, when Abraham tried to take things into his own hands, he gave birth to Ishmael, who was not the son of the promise. And by the time Abraham died, he had only Isaac, not exactly the “nation” God had promised.  Yet God’s promise to Abraham was eventually fulfilled.  The lesson for us here is that only God in His faithfulness will bring success.  Like Abraham, our might and cleverness – our models, are not the way He is glorified.

It is not for us to understand how God is working.  Our assignment is to obey what He is telling us.  If He is telling us to do a model for ministry whether it is via an NGO, prayer or B4T model, we need to do it. We need to remember that in the Old Testament God rarely won a battle the same way twice, nor does He accomplish His will by doing the same thing over and over.  God is THE CREATOR.  He is innovative, working out His will for His glory among each of us, and among each people group differently.   This is His way of causing us to cling to Him for His directions and not getting our strategies from some “model” or “Best Practices” manual.

God alone is our model and His word is our manual.

Our task is to continue to declare His glory to the world in the way He has revealed to us using the model He has called us to.  For some of us that is B4T and for others that may be different models.  But don’t be surprised if He comes up with a totally new model of reaching people for His glory through your life.  After all He is a model God.

PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.