November 10, 2005
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What will make me care?
I came down with a cold on Monday. My strength is pretty puny today so I'm resting in between laundry and meals. During my rest time I picked up a book about Helen Roseveare, who was a missionary doctor to the people in Congo. During her ministry in Congo she was taken as a hostage by the Simbas. My interest in her life was sparked so I did a search online and came across a few articles she has written. I wanted to share with you a few quotes that really impacted me.
"It doesn't matter whether I travel 6,000 miles or just twenty minutes from home. That has nothing to do with it. What matters is whether the people we meet matter to us as much as they matter to God. I have to ask myself, What will make me care? What will make them matter to me? What will motivate me to share Jesus with them?"
"During the hymn sung just prior to her address, Dr. Roseveare stepped to one side of the podium and there dismantled a large (about six-foot), stylized, artificial forsythia branch. She first removed all the blossoms and leaves and then, from within the branch itself, removed a bright, florescent shaft. Dr. Roseveare then fixed a large arrowhead to one end of the-shaft. This transformation completed, she held the arrow up for display to the audience:
What is cost? - an entirely relative term that can only be understood in reference to the value set upon the object obtained. If I say that I have just been out and spent a thousand dollars, you would consider it an enormous "cost" if you thought I were buying a pair of fur gloves: but it would be an extremely low cost if in fact I were buying a sports car!
As you have watched me "destroying" this lovely imitation branch of forsythia - ruthlessly pulling off the brilliant blossoms (destroying its ability to breathe and feed); snapping off all side branches, cutting off knots and smoothing rough places (destroying its shape and form); and even stripping its very bark (its protection against rain and sun, destroying even that which gives it personality and the power to live) - what a pointless waste, you think, and at what a "cost," especially in midwinter!
But wait a moment! As the stripping and whittling and sandpapering processes are complete, what results from the rough (though beautiful) branch? An arrow - a polished shaft, fit to carry the arrowhead direct to its target. A perfect balanced tool in the hand of an expert archer to achieve a destined goal. Does the "cost" now seem quite so high? Was it really a pointless waste? God says that he will make of his Branch (Is. 11:1) a polished shaft (Is. 49:2). And he longs to make you and me more "like unto Jesus," conformable to the image of his Son.
Am I willing for the stripping and whittling and sandpapering, through circumstances, companions or committees, to make me into that perfect arrow to achieve his wonderful purposes in and through my life? "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10)."
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Helen suffered much at the hands of cruel men in this foreign land. She was beaten, cursed at and raped. Yet, at the end of her torture she didn't feel that she paid a great price. To her the comparison of what she suffered was nothing compared to the privilege of sharing in Christ's sufferings.
I thought of how little I give to the Lord compared to this missionary. There have been times when I shrink back in fear of sharing the Good News of Christ's sacrifice with strangers or even family members for fear of a disapproving look or sneer. I've resisted the nudge of the Holy Spirit to share with someone at the grocery store because I've thought they would count me strange. I'm ashamed to think of the times that I have backed away from sharing Christ for fear of offending someone.
I think at times, when it comes right down to it, I've loved the praise of men more than I've loved God!
Most of us will never travel to foreign countries but we have countless opportunities DAILY to share His Word with our neighbors. We see the same people weekly and perhaps even daily in our neighborhoods. Are we praying for their salvation? Are we watching for ways to minister to them? Do we really love our neighbor as Christ commands or are we too caught up in our own homes and families? Are we praying before we leave our home that the Lord will bring someone in our pathway that we can share the Gospel? Our mission field is right outside our door.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Lord, work in me a far greater desire to share your precious Word with those who are lost... to search out those who are heading into an eternity of torment... to go the extra mile to share the great price your Son paid for our sins. Replace my fear with your courage, my pride of what others think with your humility. Today is the day to share your Word... not tomorrow.. not next year... but today!
Blessings,
Georgene
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If you'd like to read more of this article by Helen Roseveare you can find it at the link below.
The Cost of Declaring His Glory by Helen Roseveare
Comments (10)
Hi Georgene. Another excellent post! I've switched back to Xanga. Come see me. I think you can answer a question I posted this morning. Love, Jeani
o wow! that is a really deep and enriching post. thank you for sharing all the wonderful news!
Hi there! I love reading about Helen Roseavere and others like her. I have had my family watch many movies about other believers who have gone before us and given their life up for God. William Tyndale, William Carey, Jim Elliot, John Wyclif, etc... it truly humbles us and we see how easy we have it now. I have an awesome series on 'Surrender : The Heart God Controls" by Nancy DeMoss (a condensed version
on my website here: http://www.moreofHim.net/surrender.html Nancy talks quite abit about Helen Roseavere in that book. I've learned so much about 'surrendering all' from these wonderful people who have gone before us. Blessings to you!
Good advice on your post to me. I will pass it on.
Thanks for the verses. We should definately all have a heart to reach the lost. Great exhortation! Hope you feel better soon!
Good post. This week I was travelling with my parents and when we stopped at a service station the Lord laid it on my heart to ask the clerk if she loves Jesus, but I didnt' want to and so I didn't. I just told her to have a blessed day. There were people in line behind me and she had a very grumpy expression and my heart was picking up speed, and I simply resisted the Spirit on that. I have been feeling so ashamed ever since, although I've spoken to the Lord and asked His forgiveness. But that doesn't bring the opportunity back. Who knows what the real issues were there and I was the one God chose to address them and I let Him and whomever I was to minister to down. What was I afraid of? Lions? Burning stakes? Whippings? Tortures? No, none of these. I was afraid of a little awkwardness. How foolish and how selfish. Thanks for posting this worthwhile post and encouraging me where I most needed it.
Hi,
I have been very burdened with this issue of late. I am praying for my classmates at university, praying that the LORD prepares them and makes them good soil to receive the word and to use me or send people their way who will speak to them and share Jesus Christ as LORD and saviour. Just this morning I was telling the LORD that I want to do more. I am burdened for souls and I pray for someone to go out with in the streets to share the good news (not only handing out pamphlets). I think the Holy Spirit is quickening us to know the mind of God, because time is short and many still need to get an opportunity to repent.
I feel it is also about our love for the lost. We need to see through the eyes of God. He deserves to have these people worship them. He paid such a great price. I need LOVE, which will overcome my selfishness.
Have a blessed and victorious day,
Sof
RYC, no I haven't heard of him/her? Is there a weblink I can visit to read more?
Be blessed my friend and may your day be filled with more of Jesus. Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God, Jehovah!!!
Sof
good morning ! after a stormy and windy night, there is sunshine today outside here...looks like a very pretty Lords' day. i hope that yours will be also! i sure appreciated the nice comments you left these past couple of days. it's been a joy to check in, even though i've been so busy this week, and find them there! thank you!
Hello. Yes, I should have the other two missing parts of the Surrender series up this week I hope
I have really been blessed by Nancy DeMoss's passion for the Lord. Blessings!