May 2021 — Kathryn Humphreys
From Liz —
Just like that it’s spring. I love seeing the spring flowers in Japan and Korea, especially the famous cherry blossoms. I often think about how diverse our region is. For Northern Pacific Rim countries, you get to experience distinct seasons and then the rest of us have dry season and rainy season with little variations of humidity and maybe even hurricanes that come with rainy season.
As different as our countries are in weather, we have vast differences in ministries that we are all engaged in. As I look back over the 23 years of active serving in Indonesia, the ministries I was involved with are equally as different. Here are a few that I can think of off the top of my head: child evangelism team trainer, Bible school English teacher, church planting, medical outreach, English evangelism in the garbage dump and graveyard, orphanage ministry, Bible Study, disaster relief work, children’s church leader with over 100 volunteers, pastor, mentor, wife, and mom (and all the titles that go with that one).
I want to challenge us as women called by God to avoid using the word “JUST” in front of what you are doing today. What you do today matters. More than what you do today is HOW you do today. What attitude you allow to simmer in your mind and what character you display is sometimes more important. Each of the ministries listed above came with its’ own set of challenges. Some of my favorite reminders are “do everything without complaining or arguing”, “be not weary in well doing”, “do everything as onto the Lord” and “give thanks in all circumstances.” Was I perfect in doing these ministries with the best attitudes? Not always. But I am thankful for the work of the Holy Spirit who gently guided me, taught me, and corrected me. The Holy Spirit continues to do this work as long as I am in that place of surrender. When we are called to serve on the mission field, we often don’t have specific titles upon arriving, sometimes we evolve into them and sometimes they come crashing at our doorsteps and we say yes to something we don’t know much about, but trust God to help us accomplish the task at hand.
Titles are often given to us to define our place where we work and what we are doing. But if we use the word JUST in front of it, “Just” can be limiting and sometimes derogatory. Looking at it the way you will hear it presented in this heartfelt devotional by Kathryn Humphreys, our Japan coworker, you will find that the word JUST has a deeper meaning, one that means full of faith and character and sometimes even precisely chosen. You are JUST the one for the job you are doing today. Just like Phoebe.
From Kathryn Humphreys —
Interesting Tidbit:
My interesting tidbit is a website that I have used for the past 8 years. It’s called fitnessblender.com.
It’s a free exercise website produced by an endearing couple who are low key and balanced fitness experts. For me, it has been an easy and accessible way to lift weights without feeling overwhelmed by my own ignorance when it comes to proper technique.