The Journey Deepens

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A special note to mid-lifers, empty nesters, and baby boomers:

A number of years ago my husband said, “At church they teach us to tithe—give 10 percent—of our money, so why not encourage people to also tithe their professional lives?” In other words, after people have worked, say, thirty years in their careers, how about working three years in a ministry? Great idea!

And, in fact, a number of mid-lifers, empty nesters, and baby boomers—instead of retiring to a life of leisure—are transitioning into ministries, even overseas missions. Most people in this age group have good health, energy, and a wealth of experience and wisdom to share. Many organizations recognize this and actively recruit such people.

Maybe you, too, are ready to try something new, ready to make a difference that really counts. (from the Preface, Grandma’s Letters from Africa)

Perhaps you sense God nudging you toward missions but you don't know where to start. Or maybe you have questions or doubts or worries.

On the other hand, maybe you're ready to go! Maybe you're saying, "Just show me where to sign up!"

Wherever you find yourself, I encourage you to attend The Journey Deepens, a weekend retreat sponsored by The Finishers Project (associated with over  80 sending and mission service organizations) and Mission Next. TJD is also endorsed by In His Image and the Perspectives Study Program.

From TJD's website:

"The weekend consists of worship, large-group teaching sessions, small-group sessions, one-on-one appointment, mission agency interaction with prospective missionaries, and quiet time breakouts. Attendance is intentionally limited to create a personal interaction between individuals, coaches and fellow sojouorners with the Holy Spirit's guidance."

The Dallas area retreat takes place March 16-18 at Mt. Lebanon Retreat and Conference Center in Cedar Hill, Texas.

The Portland area retreat, April 20-22, will take place at Canby Grove Christian Camp and Conference Center in Canby, Oregon.

The Philadelphia area retreat, May 18-20, will happen at Worldwide Evangelization for Christ (WEC) International, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.

So, what do you say? What are your lifle's goals?

Do you have a burning desire to use your God-given talents and skills in a bolder way?

Will you consider tithing your professional life? If you’ve worked thirty years in your career, how about working three years in a ministry?

Do you sense an urgency? Max Lucado said, "Life is racing by and if we aren't careful, you and I will look up and our shot at it will have passed us by."

"The thought of coming to my old age," said John Piper, "and saying through tears, 'I've wasted it! I've wasted it!' was a fearful and horrible thought to me." (from Don't Waste Your Life)

"Do what you can, with what you have," said George W. Carver, "and do it now."

While it's still fresh in your mind, click over to The Journey Deepens and prayerfully consider how and when and where you can participate.

Make 2012 the year you begin living the best, most rewarding years of your life!

"What if … I did what I could? …

What if I didn’t just think about acting

but actually acted?

What if I didn’t act out of obligation? …

What if I didn’t just wonder

about what difference I could make

but just took a step?"

Elisa Morgan, She Did What She Could