Are You Willing?
November 2013
A missionary is often asked the question, "Why did you choose to be a missionary?" I did not choose to be a missionary. There is nothing appealing, nothing desirous and nothing convincing enough about the mission field to have caused me to choose. Many a man and woman have wasted away time, health and money because they have followed some personal choice or desire to follow the Lord.
"You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit." (John 15:16). I find a great deal of comfort in these words. Going to the other side of the world to work among our Slavic people is a task I would never undertake if I had to make the choice for myself. I would think of all the difficulties and inconveniences, of all the loneliness and heartache, and within a short time, personal desire would vanish along with any plan for reaching these people.
God's ways and thoughts, however, are higher than man's thoughts, for which I am thankful. It is He who has chosen and ordained that I should reap the harvest in the former Soviet Union. He has chosen and He will undertake, for He has promised to those who obey: "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). It is His desire, His planning and His choosing.
There is, however, one decision God wants every believer to make. He pleads, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). No longer is there a need for dead sacrifices of bulls and goats to be presented to God. No longer is there the need to sprinkle the blood of animals as a covering for sin. Christ's precious blood has been shed in full payment for man's transgression. God's call today is for living sacrifices — men and women who will put themselves into His hands in order that He might ordain them to bring forth fruit in the great harvest field of opportunity. This was my only decision or choice: "I'll be what You want me to be."
This decision had to be more than lip service. It had to come from the heart. In making this decision, I knew that the greatest need in the Lord's vineyard was not in lands of culture and wealth. In spite of all apparent difficulties and problems that the future might hold in store, I determined by the grace of God to follow in whatever direction He may lead. Millions today are yet waiting to hear the precious message of life and peace found in Christ. God is calling for sacrifices, "Living Sacrifices," to bear this glorious message to these hungry ones. Are you willing to make that choice?
November 2013
A missionary is often asked the question, "Why did you choose to be a missionary?" I did not choose to be a missionary. There is nothing appealing, nothing desirous and nothing convincing enough about the mission field to have caused me to choose. Many a man and woman have wasted away time, health and money because they have followed some personal choice or desire to follow the Lord."You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit." (John 15:16). I find a great deal of comfort in these words. Going to the other side of the world to work among our Slavic people is a task I would never undertake if I had to make the choice for myself. I would think of all the difficulties and inconveniences, of all the loneliness and heartache, and within a short time, personal desire would vanish along with any plan for reaching these people.
God's ways and thoughts, however, are higher than man's thoughts, for which I am thankful. It is He who has chosen and ordained that I should reap the harvest in the former Soviet Union. He has chosen and He will undertake, for He has promised to those who obey: "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). It is His desire, His planning and His choosing.
There is, however, one decision God wants every believer to make. He pleads, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). No longer is there a need for dead sacrifices of bulls and goats to be presented to God. No longer is there the need to sprinkle the blood of animals as a covering for sin. Christ's precious blood has been shed in full payment for man's transgression. God's call today is for living sacrifices — men and women who will put themselves into His hands in order that He might ordain them to bring forth fruit in the great harvest field of opportunity. This was my only decision or choice: "I'll be what You want me to be."
This decision had to be more than lip service. It had to come from the heart. In making this decision, I knew that the greatest need in the Lord's vineyard was not in lands of culture and wealth. In spite of all apparent difficulties and problems that the future might hold in store, I determined by the grace of God to follow in whatever direction He may lead. Millions today are yet waiting to hear the precious message of life and peace found in Christ. God is calling for sacrifices, "Living Sacrifices," to bear this glorious message to these hungry ones. Are you willing to make that choice?
(For two weeks in November, Leon will be ministering in Belarus and Ukraine. Pray that God will protect his travels and help him to provide encouragement and edification to the SMS missionaries in these countries.)
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
