Recently, I was reading a letter from one of the missionaries we support…
I hope you make a practice of doing the same because in the correspondence of
missionaries you will find:
- to live for God and press on in your faith
- An opportunity to pray for a saint and consider how you might support them.
- A view of how God is moving in the world.
- Great inspirational stories from foreign lands…and much more.
Recently, however, one of our missionaries who depends on elderly volunteers to help fulfill their ministry wrote about a dear woman named Rose. She is a saint who traveled far to serve for three weeks only to have to return because of medical problems. In her time with the missionary she commented, “I know my life is nearing its finish and I don’t want to meet Jesus while living for myself.”
I loved the comment of this dear lady. There she is staring her own mortality right in its face and she diverts her gaze from her own end to the face of her Savior and considers again her call to serve Him with passion and purpose. There are some many things that can occupy our mind when we consider our death, but Rose is choosing to consider what truly brings life. How easy it would be for her to think about setting the “affairs of this life” in order, rather than considering what will bring her Heavenly Father the greatest glory. But at the heart of Rose’s comment I also find an acknowledgment of her own sinful nature to be selfish. Her response? A determination to set her mind
“on things above” (Colossians 3:2). I could almost hear the Apostle Paul’s word’s echoing in Rose’s ears, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
“find out what please The Lord”.
You and I may not be facing our “last days” but that is the beauty of Rose’s comment for it applies to each of us no matter how old we are. You do not know if today will be your last day on this earth, so will you breeze through it in such a way that Christ would find you living for yourself? Or, will He find you to be a companion in spirit to Rose, rising early to seek His face and consider His will for your day and life? Will he see in us that we gladly and joyfully set aside time to serve Him and others? I am sure Rose feels some frustration over her medical issues in that her “spirit is willing but her flesh is weak”. If you are blessed with good health now, then now is the appointed time for you to serve Christ with all of your vigor. Shall we not use our strength to strengthen His church and His kingdom?
For Him,
Rob