The Burden
A few weeks ago I went to a Bible study at our church where we watched a video featuring the teaching of Earl and Oneka McClellan. They were discussing leadership, and one of the things they pointed to as crucial for an effective leader was a burden. A burden is what leads you to action. It drives your decisions, and it keeps you committed to those decisions when things get tough. As a believer, you see something that's not right, or you sense a great need, and the Lord puts a burden on your heart to do something about it. When I heard the McClellans' description of the burden, it resonated with me. It reminded me of what we often refer to as "calling" when we talk about ministry and missions. Or maybe God makes the burden and the calling work together to push us where He wants us to go. It was the burden that led us to the mission field three and a half years ago. And now it's another burden that's led us back from the mission field to remain in the States.
