Many people ask, “What makes ENLACE different?” While there may be a variety of unique qualities about ENLACE’s methodology and approach, I think a more pertinent question might be “what makes the difference in ENLACE’s ministry?” Every Monday morning at the ENLACE office in San Salvador all of the staff and volunteers come together for a time of prayer followed by a devotional reflection. In January, ENLACE director, Ron Bueno, started the year with a series of devotionals entitled “La Diferencia” or “The Difference.” Over the next few months we’d like to share some of these devotionals with you as Ron explains “La Diferencia” for ENLACE.
David McGee, Director of Communications
The Difference: Only God’s Presence before us makes the difference in our lives, families, work and ministry
Several months ago, I attended a missionary retreat where Dr. Byron Klaus spoke from Exodus 33:12-17. The message moved me deeply, but the verse that stuck in mind and heart was verse 15, “Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” Over the next few months I reflected upon and prayed about this text. The Lord impressed upon me again that only God’s Presence before us makes the difference in our lives, families, work and ministries.
Moses’ words in Exodus 33:15 are even more meaningful to our lives and ministry when we study them in context. In Chapter 31, Moses is having the most incredible time in the presence of God on Mount Sinai. Chapter 32 begins with the Lord telling him to return to the people of Israel because they had already forgotten who had delivered them from Egypt and were hedging their bets on other gods. Moses becomes angry at seeing that the people had built a golden calf. God threatens to destroy the children of Israel and offers to begin again his plan through Moses. In the most desperate of times, Moses makes a “tent of meetings” to wait on God and intercede for the children of Israel. God agrees to spare the children of Israel and at first offers to send an angel to accompany them on their journey to the Promised Land. But Moses pleas with God to accompany them himself and says,
If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? (Exodus 33:15-16)
At ENLACE, our mission is to equip local churches to transform their communities. For us, community transformation begins and ends with the redeeming work of God to restore people to Him and to each other. As relationships are renewed, the church and community begin to work together to develop sustainable initiatives that reduce poverty and build more hopeful futures. As I studied Exodus 33:15-16, God confirmed in me that community transformation begins and ends with God’s transforming presence in the lives of our staff and the local church community. He called us again to create a space or “tent of meetings” to wait before God privately and as a team to hear God’s plan for his church and community and be guided by his presence to partner with him to fulfill his mission. Our prayer this year is that we might wait for God to guide us and go before us to make the difference in the churches and communities in which we work.
