Growing My Own Way - Afrim Karoshi

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished. . . . The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom” 2 Tim. 4:17-18

“When I grow up, I’ll marry a girl like Mom, get my car, leave you here in Dallas and go to Colorado. That’s what I’ll do.” He finished the sentence in tears. My five-year-old son’s temper display sounds quite normal, but this particular articulation caught me by surprise.

After a moment’s laughter and a short father-son talk, I wondered about people, who in hope of attaining what they lack, abandon God and the family of believers.

Paul, writing in the last days of his life on earth, listed some of those believers. Once his friends, now they moved away. Hymenaeus and Alexander despised the faith and blasphemed God. They neglected the truth by rejecting the promise of the resurrection. Even Demas deserted because he “loved this present world”.

I’ve thought of abandoning my faith, too. Haven’t we all?

Sometimes my attitude resembles my five-year-old son’s. I, too, start to believe my growing understanding allows me to choose better than what God has chosen for me.

The month I started into the ministry, my best Christian friend rejected me. Later, I led a group of friends on the mission field. God permitted conflicts among us. In sleepless days and nights, I prayed for my teammates, cared, planed, provided rest and fun. Why did God allow “thank you notes” of rejection from them? But my heart has remained faithful.

Paul provided the answer. After his friends were gone, God stood with him, strengthened and accomplished the proclamation of the gospel through him. Paul declared the rest in the promise of God: “He will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.”

God claims the same hope for us. Let Him work in your life as well.

Afrim Karoshi and his wife are missionaries with Campus Crusade for Christ in Albania. They grew up in atheistic Communist country until freedom came in 1991. With the freedom came the possibility to know the truth of God. Afrim has written for newspapers in Albania and for Albania CCC magazines. He is pursuing his Master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. Upon completion of his degree he’ll return to the work in Albania. He has two children: Joel and Joana.