May 4, 2023
Mark Hedinger
Our task in missions (whether short- or long-term) is not ultimately about projects or theological positions. Our calling is to know God, to make him known, and to bring the nations into a relationship of eternal and profound value. When we think of relationship, our minds naturally go to the idea of horizontal relationship. We touch, see, and hear other people all day long. We have good relationships with some and tense relationships with others. But we also have a relationship with God. Whether a person recognizes God or not, he is near to them and is involved in their life. In Him we live, move, and have our being!
There are two arrowheads on the human/God relational diagram. Think about this for a moment: God brings to us creation (he is the creator), his presence, his provision, and his protection. He gave us salvation and forgiveness. He opened the door for us to walk with him. He sent his son as our savior and his spirit as our comforter. He gave us his church as the bride of Christ, the gathered congregation of his people.
What is your part in this relationship? Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hear his voice and listen for his guidance. Obey what you know to be his will. Love him with all of your heart and soul and mind and strength. Love other Christians as a demonstration of your walk with him.
CultureBound values deep theological reflection and pondering the truths of the Bible. At its root, however, the Christian life and walk with God comes down to a two-way relationship between God and people. In missions, we first want to emphasize growth in your relationship with God. May we teach and model a living, breathing, loving relationship with God, a relationship that can be just as real in any culture, on any continent.
Mark Hedinger, DIS, is Executive Director of CultureBound. Mark and his family spent 12 years living and teaching in Mexico. Since then, he has taught in many international locations and leads culture training programs at CultureBound. With his Spanish language background, he serves in a multicultural church in Portland, Oregon.