Insights from Linda Meadors

Long ago, which seems like yesterday, our church had a missions’ emphasis weekend, and shortly after, Kenny, afire with missions ideas, mentioned that a medical missions trip to Honduras was needed, and were we interested. We tentatively agreed, never really dreaming of the reality. But he required a commitment by a certain date, and we agreed to go.

Many months later, we began our meetings, had witness training, endured several vaccinations, and we were a week away. And it hit me—we’re going to Honduras, and Satan suddenly, and subtly, suggested that perhaps I should be a little nervous, if not fearful.

But I have been going through a Bible study entitled “The Mind of Christ”, and fearful was not on the list of Jesus’ attributes. I thought back to the Psalms that David expressed about fear: “I sought the Lord, and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4, and the one where Paul, I think, says “God does not give us the spirit of fear. . .” and “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalms 16:1. And I was calmed and ready to go.

Then we left in the early dawn after much scurrying around, packing, leaving instructions, calling family, etc. It occured to me that the same frantic feeling followed us to our first day in Honduras, when I again turned to God and remembered that He said “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10. The rest of that verse reads “I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” And then we were in Honduras.

While working the first day, a lump formed in my throat when I thought of all the hard work, of the many different people used by God to allow this mission trip to go on—family, friends, co-workers, NC Baptist Men, Medicine for Missions, Blessings International, prayer letters, contribution letters, pill counters, gift donations, prayer warriors, trunk sorting and weighing, the Honduras church, Steve and Elaine (our onsite coordinators), and most importantly, God’s hand and I remembered once again “Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

In our Bible study, “The Mind of Christ”, we realized that as Jesus went about his ministry, he was never in a hurry, worried, or afraid. He did His work, the work of His Father, as we are commanded to do. If we are to strive to become more like him, our minds must be more like His—He had the mind of a servant, not a slave, but willing to serve others, just as we are doing this week.

Our team, God’s team, has been an example of the verses “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27. So. . .” Be still, and know that He is God.”