First off I just want to say I’m still loving Africa and forever grateful for those of you that funded me. Ministry has been going so well. I love playing with kids and loving on them; I’m able to get my workout in while I do ministry too! How great is that? I’m loving the stars and sunsets and peaceful quiet fields tinged with gold as the sun lowers. And I’m loving the community of World Race more every day and filled with very bitter sweet emotions when I think of coming home in 49 days.
THE WORD FILLS MY SOUL
My times in the Word have honestly been really dry the past several weeks. Every week at Lao’s house I have a vast library of Christian books to check out, which I’ve been loving. But that’s been a distraction from time in the Word. I’ve felt little motivation to go into the Word because when I have it hasn’t really filled me up. It’s been much more of an obligation than a delight.
But the last few days I’ve tried a “new” approach to reading scripture. It isn’t any revelation and it seems kind of obvious yet it’s pretty new for me. As I’ve been going through scripture the last few days I spend deliberate time over every verse and letting it lead me in prayer whether that prayer be praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, supplication, etc. Whatever the verse might lead me to, I just pray. This has made my time in the Word much more satisfying; it’s felt more intimate and relational; it has left me more satisfied. And it’s also helped me to see different things and realize certain truths in the Scripture that I wouldn’t ever notice just quickly reading over large chunks of scripture as I often do.
PIONEERING AFRICA NO MATTER THE COST
I’ve been reading a lot of awesome Christian books lately and a lot of them have been autobiographies of missionaries and great men of faith. One book I just finished was on David Livingstone. If you aren’t familiar with him he was a missionary in the 19th century to southern Africa. He came from very humble origins in a very small and poor town in England. As a child he worked in a factory to help support his family. He was always interested in science and as soon as he heard a need for medically trained missionaries his heart was struck. It took him years to save up money enough to attend even the cheapest medical school but he was determined. Years later when he finally reached the field of Africa he spent all the time that he could exploring unknown territories, attempting to reach unknown tribes to treat their sick and preach the Gospel. He would never stay in one place for very long for he felt the urge to keep going out to prepare the way. Both for the hearts of the people to the Gospel and for other missionaries to come and minister long term.
Though his life was such an inspiration for me it also broke my heart. He sacrificed so much to trail blaze Africa. He was often faced the most uncomfortable living situations; he spent much time thousands of miles from western civilization; he went months without seeing any white men; and often he saw very little results. He spent years of his marriage separated from his wife and children; many of those same children he never got to know well. His kids didn’t have a father to raise them. Before finally reuniting with his family in England after five years away David’s own father died. Then one of his kids died in the civil war. Several years later, once again in Africa, having been separated from his wife for four years she decided she would never be separated from him again. After a joyous couple months together in Africa she died of malaria. David spent the last years of his life struggling against failing health seeking a waterway that would lead into mainland Africa. He died before completing this task. And all of this barely scratches the surface of the hardships he faced.
What a hard life he lived yet he was known for being unusually content and grateful, never complaining. What an adventurous and purpose filled life he lead. When he died he was taken thousands of miles to the coast by locals who were loyal to him where he was transferred back to England to be mourned and celebrated by millions. He was known as a hero. Though he sacrificed much what a man of courage and faith he was. Reading about such inspiring figures makes me consider my future. What am I willing to give up? What am I going to do for the Kingdom? I take these questions often to the Lord. I remember Mark 10:29-31.
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Leaving all these things is a high cost. But the gain is much greater. Yet Jesus feels inclined to include that there will be persecutions. It will be hard. Following Jesus isn’t all butterflies and flower petals. It isn’t comfortable and it isn’t easy. But it does make sense. All the work I do will be rewarded. All of it will be worth it and my joy will be full whether in this life or the next matters little. John Piper talks some about this passage in his book Desiring God:
“Surely what Christ means is that He Himself makes up for every sacrifice. IF you give up a mother’s nearby affection and concern, you get back one hundred times the affection and concern from the ever present Christ. If you give up the warm comradeship of a brother, you get back one hundred times the warmth and comradeship of Christ. If you give up the sense of at home-ness you had in your house, you get back one hundred times the comfort and security of knowing that your Lord owns every house and land and stream and tree on earth. To prospective missionaries, Jesus says, ‘I promise to work for and be for you so much that you will not be able to speak of having sacrificed anything.’”
LIFE GOES ON
I am deeply inspired by all that I’m reading and desire for a life that will bring much glory to God. I’m still unsure what that will look like long term. I’m taking steps towards missionary aviation but for now I’m trying to focus on the present of how I can bring glory to God every single day. He’s placed me here and now to glorify Him so I shouldn’t be completely taken up in future plans to glorify Him.
Praying for, serving, loving, encouraging, and empowering my squadmates brings Him glory. Finding as much delight in Him and His Word as I can glorifies Him. Giving yet another of countless shoulder rides to these kids at the care points glorifies Him. Simply enjoying the stillness and quiet of the beautiful Swaziland countryside and thanking Him for it glorifies Him. Enjoying the business and craziness of living with 45 other people and thanking Him for that glorifies Him. Glorifying God doesn’t fit inside a box.
“So whether you ear or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
So I encourage you all to plan ahead and to ask God how your life as a whole can bring glory to God. But don’t let that neglect your present. God has you where you are for a reason. Glorify Him however you can wherever you are. For glorifying Him is what our souls crave.
