Global GospelSample

God Was Already There

BY PATRICIA RESTREPO

I became aware of God within me at a young age. As a teenager, I heard a clear call from the Lord to serve others. Growing up in my native country of Colombia exposed me to the brokenness of my people, which became my own. This call, like a burning flame in my heart, persisted for many years, eventually leading me to offer my life and all that the Lord had given me to serve God. As a result, I have been a missionary in Mexico for the past 23 years.

I recall my initial conviction that my mission was to “bring God” to the lives of those the Lord would entrust to me to serve here in this beautiful country. How wrong I was! Entering into the communities I have served in Mexico has been a process of discovering and growing in understanding of the greatness of God, whose presence is revealed in so many ways. God invited me as an outsider to humble my heart and witness what the Spirit was doing in, with, and through the lives of each person in these communities. Consequently, my mission has become a lifelong journey of walking alongside the people I serve in mutual support of each other, noticing God's work in our lives and being transformed by the realization that even in places where there is indeed much need, God is already there. God’s loving and powerful Spirit has been revealed and will continue to guide us. By God’s mercy, I was invited to join and participate in God’s mission, not only for me to bless others, but also to allow others to bless me, which becomes an empowering way to honor the many gifts people have.

To recognize that God is God and that God’s mercies extend beyond our human understanding requires a great deal of humility. Yes, I have been called to proclaim the good news to those in need, and certainly, the good news has been proclaimed to me in return!

Reflection Question

Do I have difficulty recognizing how God is at work in any specific people group? In what ways is God’s work in and through them also an invitation for me?

Prayer

Lord, help us to see each other the way you see us. Give us your heart to serve with a humble and loving disposition. Give us your Spirit so that we become good news to each other and our broken world. Open our eyes to notice how you are always at work. Amen.