Eddie Aldape
CBF Field Personnel, Almería, Spain
"Some seed fell among thorns, which grew up
and choked the plants… still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." –Matthew 13:3-8
I hope I am not the only one who feels this way—thinking I am young, when each year, a week before my birthday, my body reminds me that time flies. The other day, I was reading how an elderly man was attacked by four young girls; the first thing that came to mind was: “How could they do that to a frail, elderly man?” As I continued reading, I discovered that the elderly man in the story was 60-years-old. I am 60-years-old. That caused me to rethink so many things.
On my side of the family, most relatives live to be in their 90s, which is great; but that led me to think about the rest of my life. If live to be 90, that means I have only 30 more years; and if 60 years have gone by so quickly, what will I do with the rest of my life?
This has also led me to think about our ministry in Spain. Although our time in India came to an abrupt end, the ministry not only continues, but thrives. What about our work in Spain? What do we have to show for our time here? How much longer will the Lord use us here?
I started talking with local ministry partners about this and all have been very supportive. It has been said that “Spain is a missionary’s burial ground” in that it is a tough country to evangelize. Friends have pointed out some of the things God has done through us and yet we really do not have anything tangible that we can see. Long-term presence and being fully devoted to being the presence of God, establishing relationships, building community and sowing seeds are great; but we have yet to see fruit. Our friends have also encouraged us by reminding us that there are times in which one sows, others water and others get to harvest.
As we watched last year’s promotional video for CBF’s Offering for Global Missions, something that Shane McNary said has helped me deal with this. He said, “If we invest our efforts in programs, once we are gone, the programs will end; but when we invest in people, the seeds we have sowed will bring forth fruits, even long after we are gone.”
The relationships that have been cultivated here have recently started to show signs of germination. Most of the people we minister to are Muslims who have just finished celebrating the annual Ramadan. This year, I decided to participate in Ramadan with them. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunup until sundown and do not take any kind of drink either. As they do so, they seek God’s will and search for truth. I told them that I would fast with them, but that I was going to be praying for them and their struggles. I did fine with not eating, but I was so thirsty. At the end of Ramadan, we were invited to several meals of celebration. One friend told me that since I had observed Ramadan with them, they now had to join me in prayer. We were asked to say grace for the meal. I will take that as a glimpse of hope and my joy.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Today, reflect on the last year or so of your life. What seeds have been planted that are beginning to germinate? These can be seeds you have planted in relationships, professional projects, personal goals or something else entirely. Consider what seeds fell “among thorns” this year and have been choked out. Take a moment to pray, offering God gratitude for the seeds that took root, and asking for God’s guidance as you discern how to let go of the ones no longer bearing fruit.
Pray...Give...Go.
