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How far would you go to share the gospel?
One woman went as far as it would take her, and she brought her 12- year old son along.
It was a hostile environment and their house was already burnt down by rivals. Her husband was a local pastor and was helping other churches. Her 12-year old son came for protection as this wife and mother persevered to an ‘end of the road church’ (where no one else goes, where you have to walk to just get there).
Rivals didn’t want this woman to bring hope to their small village, and they sure didn’t want it through the message of Jesus. These two precious Christ-followers were attacked with a machete. As she prayed for her spirit to be released back to God, thinking this would be the end, the attacker stopped. The small village was outraged. This family has provided many basic needs along with the gospel. (full story here)
But this attack didn’t stop them. They healed up and continued to persevere. Would you take your child with you, knowing they could be in imminent danger? It proves the gospel is bigger than we are. It’s something people lay down their lives for all the time – they give it all, even their children.
They live in an entirely different world than most of us do. They live moment by moment dependent on God as their protector and provider. But in all honesty, their days aren’t too different than ours when it comes to our call to obedience.
We are all in different circumstances, but God still calls all to obedience. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. —Psalm 27:14 He calls us to do with what we have, share the gospel with those around us, make the best of each day, and love Him unconditionally.
Perspectives can change our mindset pretty quickly.
God gave us the parents He did and had us born exactly where He decided. We are not a mistake. We were born at such a time as this. We are called to follow God – no matter if that’s on a dangerous path to an ‘end of the road church’ or to an office with growly coworkers.
He may lead someone to build a church, and then get persecuted and thrown in prison for 50 years (as with this pastor – in this Free book from Voice of the Martyrs), or He may lead you to switch jobs, move to another state or country, or do something out of the box completely.
If we keep focused on what He is calling us to do – and to be – it shouldn’t matter where we are or what we are doing…
“It is God who is at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13,14)
When I am following God and on the right path, I feel a sense of joy, and a deep knowing I am doing what He called me to do. It’s different than getting a promotion or being elected for a leadership role from others. A spiritual affirmation that only God can give.
God has a plan, even for the days when we feel hopeless, rundown, and stuck in a rut without a plan to get loosed. Pray for your situation. Pray for perspective. Pray for His love to fill you and provide a way when there seems to be no way.
