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A valuable lesson that I have learned while walking with God, is that His strategies have always been quite different than mine. I've found myself often too easily impressed by size, speed, power and strength. We tend to long for and attach ourselves to that which seems glorious, rich, powerful and impressive.
But our King, He chose the way of the cross. He chose the way of rejection, isolation, and shame to come for us, save us, forgive us and love us. And He calls us to follow His strategy of emptying ourselves, becoming nothing and choosing to decrease that Jesus may increase and receive all glory.
Those who follow Him will have crosses of their own: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).
It is this very God who chose the small places. Born in Bethlehem, not Rome nor Jerusalem. He came as a baby laid in an animal trough, a man of sorrows with no place to lay His head. He chose shepherds to father nations, defy Pharaoh and slay Goliath. He chose fisherman to turn the world upside down.
Though Paul was very successful in His ministry and many were saved, there was no hint of status about Paul’s ministry. He rather urged the church to consider that, ‘not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.’ (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
God has captured our hearts for the small "pass-by" villages and we long to see churches planted in the isolated, forgotten and small places. We want to see Christ worshipped by all – small and great, in village and town as well as city and suburb. The cry of my heart is that my life would be a pleasing sacrifice to Him, that in my many weakness He would have so much glory. I do not want my eyes to see worldly glory as beautiful, making me miss the chance to humbly and sacrificially love others while extravagant sacrificial love is being poured on me. We long for Jesus to get his inheritance and glory and for this glorious gospel of Jesus crucified and raised from the dead to reign forever, spread to every single soul, to every place big and small.
Jordan Dolilasa
“How far will you GO?”
"This is a statement that the Lord has been challenging me with for the past year. I have always felt a stir in my heart to reach those that were far, ones that might not have a chance to hear unless someone goes to them. The sad and embarrassing truth that there are still people that can live and die without ever hearing the best news ever known to man is so horrifying to me. My dad had this same burden, he has given his life to build churches and raise leaders in difficult to reach places. Many others passed the opportunity to reach these places because it is not a money-making area and requires sacrifices many could not make. Growing up, my dad would take me with him on these journeys, whether it meant hiking for days and sleeping outside just to get to a place where a small church plant was starting. I never imagined the seeds of his labor planted in me would lead me to unreached nations and even more remote Mindanaoan tribes.”
- James Dolilasa
“I long to see them see them experience the abundance of life through Jesus.”
“God put something in my heart, this is to reach the lost. I grew up in an area of the Philippines that has many muslim people. I realized God has given me many connections in order to be welcomed into these far mountainous places that have little access to resources or to christians. When God called me to use the connections I have and go to them, I saw many things, the truth behind the life of those in the tribes. I saw the brokenness, hunger, and most of all the fact that they don't have an idea of who Jesus is. They never heard the good news of the gospel. I said to myself "how come I had no idea
the desperation on my own island.” I was so driven by what I saw, those spiritually and physically hungry faces who are waiting to hear the gospel and to learn about Jesus. They have a simple life, not ever exposed to life in the city. When I gave a piece of bread to them, it was like a piece of cake to them, they live by surviving. I want them to know that they are not forgotten, I want them to know their value in Christ. I long to see them experience the abundance of life through Jesus. Since God called me to these people, and I have heard their cries, and cannot afford to be silent. My heart is to reach every tribe. I want to disciple and educate them, I want to see their communities thrive. They are my roots, and it is my joy and honor to serve them.”
- Rizzawen Jastillana
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