"...The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)
Ten years ago, when nothing in Taiwan was defined and I was just learning how to set up a Children's Institute, I made a seemingly small decision that later changed my life. We were trying to figure out what kind of people to recruit as interpreters-- we had to nail down prerequisites for their spiritual maturity, their interpreting abilities, and their age. Salvation was a must; I soon discovered that I couldn't be picky about interpreting skills; and to avoid an influx of over-qualified mothers and teachers, I decided the interpreters should be between the ages of 15-30.
At the end of 2005, it was that last prerequisite that led me to pray about my future involvement with the CI. I never planned to stay in Taiwan, much less expected to last for the entire first decade of CI's. But as 30 loomed on the horizon, I knew I had to decide whether I was going to be the exception to the rule or if I would submit to a policy I had established for others years ago.
It did not take long for the Lord to point out how He had been behind that original decision and that, for the good of the ministry, it was time for me to pass the baton. And so I began to pray, to recruit new staff, to map out training, to figure out a feasible transition plan.
God's timing is impeccable. The crucial day of transition took place the day after my 31st birthday. After I introduced Hannah as the new Teacher Trainer, I sat down and, for the first time, took notes as someone else trained the assistants. When Large Group began that night, instead of taking my place on stage, I found myself at the back of the room, blinking back tears as the children called up someone other than "Jia An Jie."
Painful? YES. But I knew it was right. So many times throughout the trip, I asked the Lord why I couldn't have given up a ministry I didn't love so much. And He'd remind me of a divine encounter I had with Elisabeth Elliot years ago, when she told me, "It is the things you love most that is substance for sacrifice."
It is in the surrender of my affections-- even that which is good, that which He gave me in the first place-- that I declare Christ as First, Foremost, Only, All.
At the end of 2005, it was that last prerequisite that led me to pray about my future involvement with the CI. I never planned to stay in Taiwan, much less expected to last for the entire first decade of CI's. But as 30 loomed on the horizon, I knew I had to decide whether I was going to be the exception to the rule or if I would submit to a policy I had established for others years ago.
It did not take long for the Lord to point out how He had been behind that original decision and that, for the good of the ministry, it was time for me to pass the baton. And so I began to pray, to recruit new staff, to map out training, to figure out a feasible transition plan.
God's timing is impeccable. The crucial day of transition took place the day after my 31st birthday. After I introduced Hannah as the new Teacher Trainer, I sat down and, for the first time, took notes as someone else trained the assistants. When Large Group began that night, instead of taking my place on stage, I found myself at the back of the room, blinking back tears as the children called up someone other than "Jia An Jie."
Painful? YES. But I knew it was right. So many times throughout the trip, I asked the Lord why I couldn't have given up a ministry I didn't love so much. And He'd remind me of a divine encounter I had with Elisabeth Elliot years ago, when she told me, "It is the things you love most that is substance for sacrifice."
It is in the surrender of my affections-- even that which is good, that which He gave me in the first place-- that I declare Christ as First, Foremost, Only, All.
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"I need everything God gives me, and want nothing He denies me." (Joseph Elliot)
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To see a reflection on the first decade of CI's, click here.
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Soul Lemonade, No. 22
Taipei, Taiwan
