I just finished reading God’s Smuggler, an autobiographical book written by Brother Andrew. If you haven’t yet read this book, grab a copy and start reading it today…you won’t be sorry!
For years, God’s Smuggler topped my I-really-want-to-read-that-book-someday-when-I-have-the-time book list, yet I never found the time. Really, God knew I needed to wait and read the book now, just as I’m getting ready for training camp (I leave on Wednesday)!
The book begins in Andrew’s hometown Witte, Holland, where we’re introduced to Andrew as a child. Mischievous, adventurous, and a serious prankster, Andrew’s best plots involved annoying Nazi soldiers stationed in Witte during WWII. Let’s just say that when suspicions arose of someone sneaking sugar into the Nazi gas tanks, the mention of Andrew’s name brought a smile to the locals around town. As he grew up, Andrew showed less interest to follow God (the way his family raised him), and more interest in ways to make it on his own. Yet, one stormy night Andrew heard the Father’s voice in the wind. With a simple prayer, “Lord, if You will show me the way, I will follow You. Amen.” In that moment, Andrew’s journey with God began.
Fast forward to 1957, and a car loaded down with “illegal” Bibles. Brother Andrew sat at the border crossing into Yugoslavia. He prayed, “Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture that I want to take to Your children across this border. When you were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see.” Andrew even set a few Bibles in plain sight, just to ensure the successful border crossing was God’s doing and not his own.
God called Brother Andrew to serve as an Ambassador for Christ behind the Iron Curtain, and bring the Word directly to God’s people in these oppressed communist countries. Throughout God’s Smuggler, Brother Andrew shares the miraculous ways God met ALL his needs. He loved waiting on God’s provision, so much so that he made up a game called the Royal Way. (You’ve got to read the book to find out how to play along with Brother Andrew and me!)
After reading God’s Smuggler, I learned that obedience and humility are the only way to follow God. When I’m humble, I can hear God. When I’m humble, I know God’s way is better than my own. Therefore, when I’m humble, I obey. That’s why Brother Andrew’s missions were so successful. He walked so closely with the Lord, in humility and obedience, that God worked miracles all around him.
So, World Racers (past, present, and future), read this book! God’s Smuggler will inspire you, encourage you, and give you a vision for God’s plan for your next year. God keeps reminding me that He’s called us to serve as Ambassadors for Christ in 11 different countries (and here at home)! Let’s listen and obey, so His mighty works may be accomplished through us.
“Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.”
(Psalms 147: 5)
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
(James 4:10)
Love, Love, Love,
Kate
