Here I am, one year on, sitting in La Plata on a beautiful sunny morning after a hectic weekend of Training in student ministry. Never did I imagine this would be the case but yet God through a million different things has brought me to this point. I have spent the past week or two really reflecting on how things have changed and how amazing it is this journey.
As I thought on this and how God has really used my journey here to shape and change me I was drawn to the story of Jonah. I really love Jonah because I think it relates to all of our lives, The story of Jonah is that of God completing His plans through the life of Jonah. Yet I think the amazing thing is how God’s plan involved teaching Jonah as well as reaching Nineveh. That is how I think God works in our lives using us but teaching and shaping us at the same time. (If you get a chance in this week I advise reading Jonah.)
I was also asked this week what I would take away from my time in Argentina and when I tried to think of it I found it difficult because God has really taught me so much on my time here. It has been a wonderful time of growth, I really have felt God move and ignite my soul in a fresh way. As I write this my mind is drawn to a verses which I have been looking at in my quite time with God. 2 Corinthians 4: 5-6
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
God really has used this year to shine the light of His love and grace into my heart. The truth of God’s grace and mercy is something He really reveals to us when we search for it in Him. Sometimes it takes the belly of a fish, sometimes a trip halfway across the world but God shines that glory in our hearts and I am truly thankful for that in my life. So I will take that away from this time here that God is gracious and merciful.
Apart from reflecting a lot I was, as I said, taking part in training this weekend. The training was basic training for Christian work with a focus on student ministry. I really enjoyed it and it was a real encouragement as we looked at how to help edify new christians using God’s word. In one of the wokshops we talked about our identity in Christ and how we truly are co-heirs in the death of Christ and through His cruxificion we are truly accepted and loved by God through Christ. I really loved one of the main verses Galatians 2:20 which says:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God…
It truly is amazing how God’s grace has come into my life and hope as you read this you can take a few minutes to think on the great things God has done for you. I truly am thankful for your friendship, support and prayers and I pray that you really discover the great glory of God and find your identity in Jesus and His death on the cross.
Dios te Bendiga,
Jonathan
Amen brother! Such a joy to see you grow in knowledge and understanding and love of Christ. I can see God has been at work in you just through reading this post. 2 Corinthians 4 was something I read a lot during my time in Chile and it really helped prepare my heart out there and for when I came back to the UK, specifically in relation to family and friends who don’t know Christ. So may God use it to work through and bless you too.
Will be praying for you and looking forward to meeting up cuando regresas
Un abrazo en Cristo
J