“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to these people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8 NLT) In 2008, a 17-year-old college student named John Chau felt called to be a missionary. He responded to God with the words from Isaiah:
Wow! I remember this story and I must confess I thought him reckless. It changes everything knowing how he prepared. Thank you for being a witness for him! I will be praying for this community 🙏🏽
Beverly, I, too, had a similar reaction when I first heard the story in the news. It took years before others who knew him at college wrote about him and let the world see his dedication. Similarly, what we are doing right now may seem like a waste of time, but in God's eyes it has value.
I love how you distilled faithfulness by saying, "Yet, in God’s economy, faithfulness is highly prized." God rewards those who diligently seek Him. It's such a wonderful promise.
The world called the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and his companions in 1956 a terrible waste. Yet his faithfulness until death inspired a generation of missionaries. "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Absolutely!!..."the message of Christ--whether we speak it or live it by example. We will be misunderstood, ignored, mocked, and persecuted for following Jesus. Our sacrifices will seem unfruitful. In the world's eyes, everything we do seems like a waste of time. Yet, in God's economy, faithfulness is highly prized. Fidelity leads to focus. Passion allows us to suffer. Devotion draws us into intimacy with God. Whether our attempts to reflect Christ are fruitful or not, He is pleased by our dedication to honor Him."
Wow! I remember this story and I must confess I thought him reckless. It changes everything knowing how he prepared. Thank you for being a witness for him! I will be praying for this community 🙏🏽
Beverly, I, too, had a similar reaction when I first heard the story in the news. It took years before others who knew him at college wrote about him and let the world see his dedication. Similarly, what we are doing right now may seem like a waste of time, but in God's eyes it has value.
I love how you distilled faithfulness by saying, "Yet, in God’s economy, faithfulness is highly prized." God rewards those who diligently seek Him. It's such a wonderful promise.
Thank you for your encouragement, Pastor Mckinney.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
The world called the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and his companions in 1956 a terrible waste. Yet his faithfulness until death inspired a generation of missionaries. "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Yes. it took a few years after his death before people acknowledged Jim Eliot's contribution.
Absolutely!!..."the message of Christ--whether we speak it or live it by example. We will be misunderstood, ignored, mocked, and persecuted for following Jesus. Our sacrifices will seem unfruitful. In the world's eyes, everything we do seems like a waste of time. Yet, in God's economy, faithfulness is highly prized. Fidelity leads to focus. Passion allows us to suffer. Devotion draws us into intimacy with God. Whether our attempts to reflect Christ are fruitful or not, He is pleased by our dedication to honor Him."
Thank you, for the encouragement ❣