Founder, Operation Mobilization
The Mystery of How God Works, Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense to Us

This little book from Moody Publishers is another one that sort of fell into my lap. I’d never heard of George Verwer before and only vaguely recall hearing of Operation Mobilization (probably through the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course). But I was intrigued the title, a play on the word “missiology” or the study of missions, of which I’m a lifelong student.

The sense I get from this author (who founded OM 60 years prior) is that he tells it like he sees it, and he doesn’t care whose toes he steps on when he does: “I’m old. I’ve seen it all, and it’s all nonsense if it ain’t the Gospel and for the kingdom. So sit down, shut up, and listen. I’ve got some things I wanna say.” (That’s not a direct quote). In fact, he reminds me of my 85yo friend Bill who’s a total saint but blunt when he needs to be.

Verwer touches on many topics beyond missions, from denominationalism to music to marriage to complaining. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of life lessons (and annoyances), and many of the chapters at least got me thinking. It’s definitely not a book on missions as such, but more so a book on the distractions and problems that keep us from doing the Work God’s invited us to do.

Verwer explains his title early on in the book, and its premise sets the tone for why he goes off on so many tangents about our failures as the Body of Christ. He writes: “Put simply, messiology is the idea that God in His patience, mercy, and passion to bring men and women to Himself often does great things in the midst of a mess.” (13)

In describing some of the messes we create as redeemed sinners, he offers the following truisms (among many others):

“For years I have quoted a personal proverb: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in His name, sooner or later there will be a mess.'” (14)

“You cannot prove that your view is right or that someone else’s is wrong by cherry picking horror stories of people on the opposing side who have erred.” (59)

“Selective reading (reading only one side of issues) is worse than not reading at all.” (89)

That’s the curmudgeon coming out, but of course, that’s not all he has to say. Through all this sinful mess and dissention and backbiting, God still finds a way to work out the best for his own glory, as the following statements attest:

“God can even use poor books… to help bring people to Christ as Savior.” (39-40)

“God can work through a divided and broken church (speaking of the whole body of Christ). After all, that’s all He’s ever had to work with!” (44)

“Let’s be honest, in God’s mysterious way of working, splits and divisions are one of the ways the church grows. That is not to excuse any sin or misbehavior. As always, the concept of God working in the midst of the mess stares us in the face.” (49)

I felt this book offered a new spin on some of the frustrations I’ve felt with church (both at home and abroad) over the years. Four major annoyances, in fact, punched me in the face this very week, things that I’m tempted to write my mentors about just to vent. Personal, holier-than-thou preferences that people have tried to lay on me that (if I’m not careful) could really get my blood boiling. But what Verwer teaches here is true, that even through our differences and disagreements, God can and does work.

I should never let my opinions and annoyances get in the way of the mission. I should love my brothers as brothers and focus on our agreements not our differences. For that lesson hidden within this book, I’m grateful. I wouldn’t add this book to any “Must Read!” lists, but I felt it was a nice conversation with an older servant of God who had some important things he wanted to share. It’s worth reading.

©2022 E.T.