Relational ministry: God’s individualized plan to redeem his people

I have now been in Glacier National Park for one week—feels like I know this place so well already. I feel taken care of, pursued, and free, but also challenged, stretched, and convicted. It is clear in Swiftcurrent that I am a Christian. I was flying under the radar for a while because I did not want people to turn from me thinking I would judge them. But I knew it wouldn’t be long before people started to notice that I wasn’t into partying, using curse words, or hooking up. People asked me if I was a Christian, I didn’t even tell them. And I feel incredibly respected. 

My fear was that I wouldn’t have much to talk about with people who were different than me because we didn’t have much in common, but I was SO WRONG. Since our worldviews are so different, we conflict easier—driving our conversation deeper, faster. Within in one week, I have had the most amazing conversations with people.  And they start with simple questions about their life—what’s their story—and then God opens the door uniquely into their heart every time. Multiple people told me their view of Christianity is super judgmental and pushy. I have been asked several times why I don’t push, or try to convert people over to my faith. I simply tell them that I care much more about the value of every human being than trying to change the way they view the world. And while it would be awesome if a revival swept Swiftcurrent and everyone started proclaiming Jesus as Lord and King, I realize my role is to pursue the heart of everyone around me. Because I’m realizing I can’t do any of the heart changing anyway, I just pray that the Spirit of God living within me would stir the souls of those who are around me. And yes, there is room for God to do big things, and I want to give him the opportunity to do that, but ministry is SO played out just in pursuing people. People want to be known, they wanted to be valued. And that is the image of God in them, which is not absent even if they don’t acknowledge him as Lord.

My incredible view every day

So to cap it off, I am full. I am loving it out here and I can’t imagine spending my summer any other way. In one week I have hiked over 40 miles, seen 10 bears, 3 porcupines, moose, elk, mountain, goats, foxes, and been in totally awe of the creation around me.

Please pray for a continual deepening of relationships and for God to work in even more unique ways.

Ali

"The chief beauty about time is that 
you cannot waste it in advance. The
next year, the next day, the next hour
are lying ready for you, as perfect, as
unspoiled, as if you had never wasted
or misapplied a single moment in all your
life. You can turn over a new leaf every
hour if you choose."
-Arnold Bennett