PRESS ON

BY MARK JH KLASSEN

e felt very restless,” said Rick and Karen Sawatzky as they looked to the future.

In the summer of 2022, Rick was sixty-three years old, and Karen was sixty-two. The couple, both teachers by profession, lived in Winkler, Manitoba. In recent years, while semi-retired, they had taken a variety of short-term job opportunities that always seemed to be available. But this year was different.

“This year, there was nothing on the horizon,” said Karen, “and it was unsettling. We told each other that we wanted purpose in life even though we were at the end of our careers. We didn’t want to miss God’s call on our lives.”

“I just wanted to be obedient,” said Rick. “We knew we couldn’t have a relationship with Christ unless we were willing to follow him every day of our lives, even in our sixties.”

So, as they looked to the future, the couple asked God a simple question, “Is there anything you want us to do?”

In the past, at that time of year, Rick and Karen would get a call from Ewald Unrau with Multiply and they would talk about various projects and opportunities to give. “But this year, I phoned Ewald,” said Rick, “and we talked about our restlessness, and I asked him if there was anything that we could do through Multiply in Europe.”

Ewald was intrigued. He told Rick that the next step would be to talk to Multiply’s Regional Mobilizers in Central Canada, Lloyd and Carol Letkeman. He also told Rick that Lloyd just happened to be in Winkler that weekend on a rare visit to their church and that they should introduce themselves. As well, he mentioned that Johann Matthies, the European Mission Director, who lived in Germany, just happened to be in Winnipeg for meetings. The timing of all this, Ewald noted, seemed to be more than a coincidence.

The following Monday, Rick and Karen met with Lloyd and Carol and Johann Matthies in a coffee shop in Winnipeg. They talked for two hours about service opportunities in Europe. “By the end of our conversation,” Karen said, “they were ready to move forward, and we were eager to see what was next.”

At that meeting in late August, Lloyd and Carol told Rick and Karen that their next step would be something called FOCUS Internship, a nine-month training experience toward long-term ministry, which could possibly include a service component in Europe. The FOCUS training was scheduled to start in three weeks at Fort Garry MB Church in Winnipeg.

In the midst of these rapidly unfolding events, God spoke clearly to the couple from a verse in the Book of Revelation (3:7-8): “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open... See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”

“It was a bit scary and sudden,” said Rick, “because we still had so many questions, but there were also too many coincidences. Doors were opening and we just kept walking through them.”

Three weeks later, Rick and Karen arrived at Fort Garry for FOCUS Internship training. Even as they drove into the parking lot of the church, they felt the weight of their decision and they wondered if they would fit in with the younger participants. “Honestly,” said Rick, “it felt like we were arriving at a youth night.”

During one of the most stretching times at FOCUS, Karen was feeling very weary. “We were driving down Henderson Highway on our way to Fort Garry,” she said, “and I looked over and saw this little wooden sign that said, Press on, and immediately I thought of the verse in Philippians where Paul writes, ‘I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ And I thought, oh, that’s interesting.”

On their drive home that same day, Karen saw another sign just like the first in a completely different location. The next day, on a walk by the river, she ventured off the path and made her way through the trees. On the limb of a tree, seemingly out of sight, there was another sign and the message again, staring her in the face, Press on.

That same day, Rick was in the city and saw some graffiti art on the side of a building. In the midst of the artwork was a simple message, Press on. He took a photo so he could show it to Karen when he got home.

“Literally, everywhere we turned,” said Karen, “we saw that message. We knew God was speaking to us. Then, a few days later, in our FOCUS Bible reading, we read Hosea 6:3, ‘Oh that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him.’ We knew we needed to press on to know him and obey him.”

Rick explained how community life at FOCUS training made adapting to everything easier. “The teaching was amazing, and the fellowship was deep. Our fellow interns were all very accepting. Lloyd and Carol, and Johann and the Multiply team in Europe, have all been so supportive and flexible. In fact, everyone in Multiply has been amazing and helpful.”

It was Johann who initially pitched the idea of them going to Lithuania for their assignment as FOCUS Interns. “We trusted his judgment,” said Rick. “Johann knew of a number of possible locations in Europe, but that one seemed to suit us best.”

It was not an easy transition to Lithuania. “When we arrived,” said Rick, “we were very aware of how different everything was there. We had left the safety and familiarity of our little city on the prairies.”

However, Rick and Karen adapted, and before long they were thriving in Lithuania, investing in local churches, encouraging leaders, and building friendships. Their hosts in the country are Gediminas and Kristina Dailyde, Multiply workers and church planters in Vilnius.

“Gedas and Kristina have been fantastic,” said Karen, “and so have Pastor Arturas and his wife, Vita, and their congregation. We appreciate them so much.”

According to Rick and Karen, these churches were both hospitable and spiritually vibrant. “We have really seen the Spirit of God at work among them,” said Karen, “and we feel so privileged to be a small part of that. We have been inspired by their love and devotion to God.”

During the past few weeks, God has opened many more doors of service for the Sawatzkys in Lithuania. “You know, we came here to serve, and to see where we could fit in during our time here,” said Rick, “but whatever we’ve given here among these people has been overshadowed by what we’ve received from them.”

By the end of April, their assignment in Lithuania will be complete, and Rick and Karen will return to Canada for their FOCUS debrief, which will wrap up in early May. The couple will have much to process at that time about the past year’s journey and about future ministry opportunities. Whatever they face, however, they will remember God’s clear message to them to press on.

Go

Is God calling you to explore your calling to long-term ministry? To learn more about the FOCUS Internship, go to multiply.net/focus

MARK JH KLASSEN is a writer with Multiply and a member of Yarrow MB Church (BC).

This article was previously published in Witness, Multiply’s quarterly magazine. To read other stories from the latest edition, go to multiply.net/witness or subscribe at multiply.net/subscribe

BY NATHAN ENSZ

This article was originally published on March 1, 2023 in Christian Leader Magazine.

In the fall of 2019, my church offered a five-week home group study on the topic of anxiety. Little did we know just how vital these small groups would prove as 2020 rolled around the corner. To this day, I keep a handwritten note identifying three areas that stirred a sense of anxiety within me. The note serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Although I wouldn’t define myself as an anxious person, I realize as I walk through life the opportunity for anxiety can grow within me. Webster’s dictionary defines anxiety as, “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating and increased pulse rate).” The reality of anxiety exists; I have experienced its impact. I have also walked with friends, family and church members who feel its negative impact on their life.

The Scripture passage our home groups examined was Philippians 4:4-7: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Together we gleaned these four helpful observations.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Rejoicing doesn’t come easily when anxiety takes root. As a matter of fact, rejoicing often disappears when anxiety grows.

One needs to ask why the apostle Paul places this directive just prior to addressing anxiety. No matter how unnatural rejoicing feels in the midst of anxiety, remembering to put into practice what is best helps in the battle, even when emotions tell us otherwise. Feelings need not guide a person flooded by anxious thoughts. If guided by emotion, rejoicing would seldom occur.

Since Scripture calls for rejoicing, one must heed this piece of instruction. Understanding the apostle Paul wrote these words from a prison cell cements the idea that even when life remains uncertain, rejoicing is an option worth taking. God lessens anxiety when adhering to this command. Could it actually work?

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. The Greek word epieikes provides some difficulty when translating into English. For this reason, a variety of words occur. NIV uses the word “gentleness,” ESV “reasonableness,” NASB “gentle spirit,” HCSB “graciousness” and ASV “forbearance.” The nuances of each of these words paint parts of a picture conveying a gracious and gentle spirit.

As rejoicing in difficulty seems out of place, gentleness may also seem odd. Yet, what if this precisely shows the passages’ intent? Doesn’t it make sense that God sees deep into our greatest need? Should it come as any surprise that we often cannot comprehend what God reveals?

In this verse, a gracious spirit points a person’s focus outward on others; anxiety moves it inward on self. Remember the rest of this verse: a gracious gentle spirit keeps in mind the nearness of the Lord. A twofold implication follows. First, the Lord’s return is near. Soon that which breeds anxiety will no longer reign. Second, the Lord’s very presence is near. Even though life circumstances seem to produce anxiousness, the presence of the Lord never ceases.

Which implication is correct? How about both! Both are backed by Scripture and provide direction and comfort. Perhaps the apostle Paul intended to leave a sense of vagueness around the Lord’s nearness to allow the reader to realize both assurances.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. As the heart of these verses emerge, perhaps it doesn’t settle easily. “Do not be anxious about anything.” How can this happen? Can the apostle Paul just command anxiety obsolete? Does this passage think that people flooded with anxiety can turn it off and on, like a light switch?

While Paul’s admonition may seem oversimplified, I believe his straightforwardness is needed. Notice he says not to be anxious about anything. This communicates that all anxiety points to something within us that needs adjustment. Certain anxieties should not be deemed as sensible while other anxieties thought of as shameful. Paul lays it out saying that all anxiety needs addressing.

When plagued by anxiety, this passage teaches prayer, petition and thanksgiving. Elsewhere, Paul tells believers in Thessalonica to “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17). Keeping these words in mind, what often brings anxiety becomes items of prayer. If a relationship spawns anxiety, pray about it. If concern over the future generates anxious thoughts, pray. If financial obligations set off anxiety, take it to God in prayer. Praying does not negate appropriately acting to combat that which stirs anxiety, but it does set a tone for how to move forward.

Petition and thanksgiving ought to mark the prayer of an anxious person. As seen in Jesus’ example of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), petitions and requests make their way to God. His teaching serves as a reminder that petitions don’t stop with one prayer. Even when it seems God isn’t answering, continue on. The parable affirms a loving heavenly Father who sees that justice eventually occur (vv. 8).

Thankfulness gets lumped in with prayers and petitions. This unnatural response draws attention back to the apostle Paul’s directive to rejoice always. While thankfulness and rejoicing are difficult disciplines to practice when anxious thoughts flood our souls, does it not stand to reason that God knows it is part of the remedy? Intentionally choosing thankfulness redirects focus.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Those flooded with anxiety long for God’s peace. How does this come? The apostle Paul makes it clear that one cannot explain or comprehend God’s divine work. It “transcends all understanding.” Although difficult to explain, God’s peace is able to meet and overtakes a flood of anxious thoughts. It comes through rejoicing, practicing a gentle and gracious spirit, remembering the nearness of the Lord and choosing to bathe problems with prayer, petition and thankfulness. What an unusual, yet intentional way to overcome anxiety!

Hear my heart and know I understand and believe the role medicine, counseling and other interventions play for those struggling with severe and crippling anxiety. I desire to emphasize the words of God. Scripture’s way of addressing anxiety may make us scratch our head, but can we trust God that his method is part of the remedy?

I should point out one further thing in regard to the note I wrote myself in 2019. The list I developed has become irrelevant. The stressors in my life have become obsolete as resolution has come to each point of anxiety. Issues come and go. My response can remain steadfast, grounded in rejoicing, a gracious spirit and prayer.

NATHAN ENSZ has been in ministry since 2000 and currently serves as lead pastor at Kingwood Bible Church in Salem, Oregon. He is a graduate of Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master of arts in ministry, leadership and culture from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary.