Page 8 - RiseUpWarrior

7 Chapter 2 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, Martin Luther but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games what he cannot lose.” goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that Jim Elliot will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny them- running aimlessly; I do not fght like a boxer beating selves and take up their cross and follow me. For the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but who- slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself ever loses their life for me will fnd it.” will not be disqualifed for the prize.” Jesus Christ (Mathew 16:24-25) 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 And so I ask you, are you a moving car? Then read on! I now enjoy a ministry I would never have dreamed of You are worth it. And if you are a parked car, decide having. It took 25 years of training, but now literally right now to change. Believe me, it’s worth it! millions of children around the world are using my cur- riculum in Sunday school. I have a ministry that is mak- Are you willing to let me ing a difference in this world. The way to get here was painful and I broke a sweat. But, in giving up my life to be boss of your life or God; I found it. “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost not? them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands; that I still possess.” 2 We are at war Dust was fying in my face as we drove down the fa- all jumbled up with nervousness. I had poured years of miliar wash-board road towards the villages we had my life into the people of this little village. The frst ministered in years ago as missionaries in Sonora. El home we visited was full of screams of excitement and Diamante, Caborca, San Felipe, El Ultimo Esfuerzo... hugs all around. I asked about a few of my students. My and the list of towns we had worked in went on and on. “auntie” Sofa had a solemn face as she tried to not give I was so excited to greet the people again and see their me all the bad news at once. familiar faces. What will have changed? At one house we visited, they were quiet as the girl The roads looked the same and so did all of the cacti. who was in my class bounced the baby on her lap and Of course the children I had ministered to in my Sunday looked ashamed. She had run off with a boy who wasn’t school class will have grown up some, but I hoped to a Christian, and they were not married, but living to- fnd at least of few of them and catch up on their lives. gether. She wasn’t going to church anywhere. We rounded the corner into El Coyote, and my gut From what I could piece together from all the stories, felt like spaghetti. It was heavy with excitement, but and the other homes we visited, the spaghetti in my