LLEVAR TU CRUZ | SERIE: VIVIENDO COMO JESUS | RUAKH

Reflections on a Missionary Journey

Early Life and Relocation

• The speaker recalls moving to Western Ranch in 2013, despite warnings about it being a bad neighborhood. They compare it to their previous home in Modesto, which lacked sidewalks.

• The presence of sidewalks and streetlights in Western Ranch made the speaker feel blessed, contrasting with their prior living conditions.

A Call to Mission

• While sitting on the stairs one day, the speaker spontaneously tells their father about wanting to go on a missionary trip.

• The father suggests asking pastors for opportunities to preach and collect offerings, indicating that God will provide for the journey.

Divine Inspiration

• What seemed like a casual thought was later recognized as God's prompting in the speaker's heart, leading them to Guatemala for a missionary trip.

• The speaker’s brother had previously gone on this mission trip, establishing connections that facilitated the speaker's involvement.

Impact of the Mission Trip

• Initially thinking they would be a blessing to others, the speaker realizes they were profoundly blessed through their experiences during the trip.

• 2013 became pivotal for both personal growth and ministry development as God opened doors beyond their comfort zone.

Serving Others

• During the mission trip, they participated in various activities including preaching at youth retreats and serving at an orphanage.

• They helped build facilities for children who felt abandoned due to difficult family circumstances, emphasizing their value through acts of service.

Lasting Memories from Guatemala

• One vivid memory involves two children being left at an orphanage entrance; these children had experienced trauma from toxic environments.

• The emotional impact of witnessing love being shown to these children highlighted the importance of community support and divine grace.

Orphanage Experience and Transformation

The Impact of Trauma on Children

• The speaker describes children in an orphanage who have been abandoned due to their parents' struggles with drug addiction, highlighting the emotional trauma they endure.

• These children exhibit a mix of fear and despair, lacking hope and the sparkle in their eyes, which deeply affects the speaker's perspective as a Christian and American filled with resources.

The Role of Love and Faith

• Despite financial limitations, the speaker finds solace in knowing that Christian coordinators at the orphanage provide love and share the gospel of Christ, offering what these children lack from their biological parents.

• A desire to extend his stay at the orphanage emerges within the speaker, despite initially budgeting only for one week. He reflects on how generosity from others influenced this decision.

Financial Challenges and Support

• The speaker recounts discussions with generous businessmen who encouraged him to stay longer, despite his concerns about finances.

• Misunderstanding travel costs leads to realizations about changing flight plans; he learns that it is often more complicated than he initially thought.

Divine Provision and Family Wisdom

• In a conversation with his father, he expresses doubts about staying longer but receives advice suggesting that if it's God's plan, he won't need to spend any money.

• His father's guidance emphasizes good manners regarding contributions when invited somewhere, reflecting cultural values instilled during his upbringing.

Commitment to Service

• After affirming his commitment to stay without complaint, a pastor reassures him that arrangements are made for an extended stay without financial burden.

• Each Friday before leaving for home, coordinators emphasize personal growth through service experiences; they illustrate how exposure to poverty transforms perspectives on wealth and privilege.

Preparation for Returning to a Challenging Environment

The Challenge of Returning Home

• The speaker emphasizes the need to prepare for returning to a country that poses challenges, not through poverty but through complacency and conformity.

• There is concern about returning to a church community lacking passion for missions, charity, and evangelism, leading to potential criticism from those who understand the importance of these values.

Personal Transformation Through the Gospel

• The speaker reflects on being transformed by the gospel, describing how serving others and investing in God's kingdom leads to profound changes in one's life.

• A personal anecdote reveals a moment of desperation where the speaker sought guidance from mentors about pursuing full-time ministry after feeling called by God.

Embracing Responsibility in Ministry

• Mentors advised that receiving a calling comes with the burden of responsibility—referred to as "the cross"—which one must choose to accept or reject.

• The conversation highlights that serving God requires faith rather than guarantees or clear plans; it’s about trusting divine guidance over human assurances.

The Cost of Discipleship

• At 19 years old, the speaker reflects on their journey towards becoming a pastor and acknowledges that understanding the suffering involved might have deterred them initially.

• A pivotal question posed by Jesus challenges every disciple: whether they are willing to take up their cross and follow Him despite worldly distractions.

Understanding Purpose Through Personal Crosses

Defining Individual Purpose

• The speaker connects individual purpose with the personal crosses each believer carries, suggesting that understanding this burden is key to discovering one's purpose in life.

Scriptural Reference: Matthew 16:21–27

• Citing Matthew 16:21–27, the speaker discusses Jesus' foretelling of His suffering and death as essential for understanding discipleship's demands.

Human Resistance to Divine Plans

• An example involving Peter illustrates human tendencies to resist God's radical ideas due to fear of discomfort or change.

• This resistance often manifests as attempts to correct God’s plans based on personal comfort levels or societal norms.

This structured approach captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

Understanding the Burden of Purpose

The Conflict Between Human Perspective and Divine Will

• The speaker reflects on the manipulation by human desires, contrasting it with divine protection, emphasizing that true understanding comes from God's perspective rather than a limited human viewpoint.

• Jesus rebukes Peter, highlighting the danger of viewing situations solely through a human lens. This serves as a reminder to seek God’s perspective in our lives.

The Call to Discipleship

• Jesus instructs his followers to abandon their own ways and take up their cross, stressing that true life is found in self-sacrifice for His sake.

• The speaker encourages congregants to affirm each other in carrying their crosses, reinforcing community support in discipleship.

Identifying Personal Purpose Through Burdens

• A discussion on how individuals can discern their purpose by recognizing the burdens they carry; these burdens are seen as tools for clarity regarding one's calling.

• The speaker shares personal experiences about identifying his pastoral calling through various life events, underscoring that ministry often feels like a burden rather than a privilege.

Ministry as a Sacrificial Calling

• Emphasizing that ministry requires reliance on God rather than personal strength; otherwise, one risks burnout and emotional exhaustion.

• The importance of discerning God's voice amidst emotional turmoil is highlighted; leaders must avoid confusing personal feelings with divine guidance.

Understanding Identity Beyond Ministry Roles

• The speaker stresses that one's identity should not be tied solely to ministry roles but rooted in being a child of God.

• Each individual has been given a unique cross or burden by God, which signifies their specific purpose within His plan.

Discipleship Responsibility Within the Church

• A call for recognition among church members about their individual responsibilities in discipleship; everyone has been entrusted with this task.

• Reflecting on why God entrusts the church with disciple-making responsibilities despite its imperfections; emphasizes reliance on the Holy Spirit for conviction and transformation.

The Burden of Discipleship

The Call to Discipleship

• The angel instructs the centurion to speak to Peter, emphasizing the privilege and responsibility of making disciples.

• A humorous reference is made about Peter's personality, highlighting the importance of patience in fulfilling God's call.

Individual Burdens from God

• Each person receives a unique burden from God; some may feel called to help the poor, children, or marginalized groups.

• Examples are given of unconventional burdens, such as starting Bible studies in unexpected places like construction sites or sports fields.

Perception vs. Reality

• God often chooses individuals who appear weak or unqualified by human standards to carry significant burdens.

• Personal anecdotes illustrate that outward appearances do not determine one's ability to fulfill God's calling.

Divine Support in Carrying Burdens

• When God assigns a burden, it may seem overwhelming; however, He provides what is necessary for us to bear it.

• Emphasizes that God believes in us more than we believe in ourselves and equips us for our tasks.

Community and Shared Responsibility

• The speaker reflects on personal anxiety regarding carrying burdens alone but finds comfort in community support.

• Highlights the importance of choosing partners wisely in ministry and life, as they can either support or distract from one’s mission.

Provision and Calling

God's Provision in Life

• The speaker reflects on a conversation about financial concerns, emphasizing faith in God's provision. They share their belief that God surrounds individuals with supportive people and resources when they obey Him.

• The initial payment received was just the beginning of ongoing provision throughout the speaker's life, highlighting that God provides not only people but also material resources and opportunities for education.

Embracing God's Call

• The speaker discusses how God reassures believers that they are never alone, referencing biblical promises of support and presence during challenging times.

• A personal anecdote reveals the speaker's unique desire to engage in missionary work at a young age, suggesting divine inspiration behind such aspirations rather than typical teenage interests.

The Burden of the Cross

• The concept of carrying one's cross is introduced as essential for spiritual fulfillment. Ignoring this calling leads to feelings of misery and discontentment in life.

• A warning is given about the consequences of neglecting one's divine calling, comparing it to Jonah's experience. Those who ignore their purpose may face discomfort and confusion in their lives.

Dreams vs. Divine Aspirations

• The speaker emphasizes that while God does not oppose dreams, He seeks to fulfill greater dreams born from embracing one’s cross.

• Personal dreams like having a good job or home are acknowledged as valid; however, prioritizing them over God's calling can lead to spiritual emptiness.

Living Out Faith Daily

• It is reiterated that dreaming is not inherently wrong; rather, it becomes problematic when it overshadows one’s commitment to carry their cross daily.

• An interactive moment encourages participants to physically carry a representation of their cross, symbolizing the importance of embodying faith beyond church settings into everyday life.

Challenges of Carrying the Cross

• Carrying one's cross can create discomfort among peers and within social situations where worldly pleasures are prevalent.

• Many Christians leave their crosses at church instead of integrating them into daily life, leading to missed opportunities for authentic witness and growth in faith.

Cargando Tu Cruz: Un Llamado a la Acción

La Hipocresía de la Fe

• La fe en Dios no se refleja en nuestras acciones diarias; priorizamos el gobierno y las finanzas sobre nuestra relación con Él.

• Se nos invita a cargar nuestra cruz, incluso si eso significa enfrentar dificultades o incomodidades.

El Llamado a Recoger Nuestra Cruz

• Muchos oran para que Dios elimine sus cargas, cuando en realidad Él espera que las recojan. ¿Cuándo asumirás tu responsabilidad?

• No importa la juventud o inexperiencia; Dios puede usar lo poco que tienes para su propósito.

Cargar la Cruz y Cumplir Propósitos

• Cargar tu cruz te permitirá hacer más por Dios que seguir tus propios sueños egoístas.

• Algunos pueden ser llamados a emprender negocios y convertirse en empleadores, apoyando así el ministerio de manera significativa.

Educación y Crecimiento Personal

• Es posible que algunos deban educarse más o invertir en consejería para sanar heridas antes de avanzar. Esto es parte del proceso de cargar la cruz.

• A veces, se nos llama a ayudar a otros sin esperar nada a cambio; esto es parte de llevar nuestra carga espiritual.

La Visión de una Iglesia Poderosa

• Se imagina una iglesia donde se pueda ver claramente la gloria de Dios, impactando positivamente en la comunidad mediante empleo y educación espiritual.

• Este mensaje no busca reclutar voluntarios sino cultivar discípulos comprometidos con su fe fuera de las paredes de la iglesia.

Reflexión Final y Oración

• Se anima a los oyentes a reflexionar sobre su llamado personal y buscar claridad sobre cómo pueden cargar su cruz efectivamente.

• La oración final pide fortaleza para aquellos que luchan con su propósito, instándolos a no dejarse paralizar por el miedo al fracaso o perder amistades.