North Korea calling? To those who would touch a needy nation I offer the following:
An available position does not always mean an open door. Men can open doors too. And shut them. The doors that God opens cannot be opened by men. Or shut.
Look at it this way. Guys that are blessed with looks, charm, and all the rest, will have any number of "open doors" into a woman's heart. Although these are issues with which I have never had to deal, I can well imagine a line-up of females, each one telling my heart, "She is THE ONE." At least, in my dreams I can imagine such things! Are all these women to be his?
Or try this. A multi-talented person seeking employment will face the same dilemma. He will be hunted down like a white-tailed deer and pressed into any number of services. Are all these jobs "the right one"?
But consider Paul (I Corinthians 16:9). "An open door has been set before me, and there are many adversaries." That is true vision. Paul was not "excited" about going through his open door. First he was genuinely invited. Then he was persistently determined. He did not see all happy scenes. Paul's foretold and actual ministry was a series of incredible victories coupled with incredible suffering. Those who go through open doors because they are "excited" about "helping Jesus" need to go sit under a tree somewhere and count the cost. If the cross is not a part of the final tally, and so-called "call," it is probably a human door, not a Divine one that is presenting itself.
Also, doors in the Scripture are entry-ways to the furtherance of the Gospel, not personal furtherance. When the "vision" sees a human (usually yourself) elevated and Christ negotiable, it's not God's vision. When one sees a road of hardship but Christ lifted up, good things can follow.
There are, I have found, many doors open to North Korea. I have leaped for joy to know I can be of use in this dry and thirsty land. It would be the same for anyone reading who wants to go. There is something for you to do! But which door is yours? I counsel myself and anyone who cares to listen:
Walk carefully in the Spirit before the momentous decision is made. Listen carefully to what God is saying and to what various men are saying too. If the "call" does not "fit" and you find yourself volunteering to do someone else's work just to "be used", much damage can come your way, and to the ministry.
The Lord of the harvest knows just where we belong. Some of us may well be asked to stay right here and pay the bills of those who go... but if Christ is glorified, so be it.
Bottom line, LORD save your people! Lord deliver the prisoners! Lord, whatever it takes, whomever it takes, however you want it done, oh just do it!
http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!
And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.
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