Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of our Savior. With one month of 2020 having
passed, I trust you have already seen God's blessing in this year and that you
are anticipating His continued work as you move forward.
I have been reading the journal of Andrew Bonar, Scottish
preacher of the 1800s. His entries are very sporadic, with rarely very many in
the same year. I'm somewhere around twenty years into his ministry, and I don't
yet know where he ends up. I have a few general impressions: his persistent
desire to be more faithful in prayer, and his awareness of the gradual and
painstakingly slow nature of his Christian growth. His writings reveal that he
very clearly had a heart for God. He wanted to grow, wanted to be pleasing to
God, and wanted to serve God.
The Jews were very dear to his heart (at a time when anti-Semitism
was rampant in Europe). Bonar was able to take a trip to the Holy Land, and he
often spoke about the Jews and tried to reach them. At one point, the possibility
arose that he might be asked to go on a three-year mission to the Jews in
Constantinople, accompanied by a few other preachers.
While his heart for the Jews created some interest in this
endeavor, Bonar felt the burden of not leaving the congregation with whom he
had been struggling to make progress. It seemed very unlikely to find anyone to
oversee his church during a long absence, which ultimately ended up being the
reason he was not chosen for the mission.
In the midst of the extended time during which the
possibility of this trip to the Jews remained under consideration, Bonar wrote:
"That is, I do not feel the Holy Spirit has stirred me up to that work, or
qualified me for it; while yet, did I know it as His will, I would go
tomorrow."
I like his balanced contemplation. Because of his interest,
he could have jumped at the chance, but he didn't. He prayerfully considered
the possibility, and he was sensitive not only to the Spirit's leading (or lack
thereof), but also to his own preparation and abilities. Just because he was
interested didn't mean that the job was for him.
I also like his willing heart. Even with his reservations
about his ability and the needs of his congregation, Bonar was willing. If
convinced it was God's will, his obedience would have been immediate.
This attitude struck me as being exemplary for all Christians,
and perhaps for vocational servants in particular. We are faced with many
possibilities for service - many directions we could go - many activities we
could embrace. Some we may really want to do. Some we may feel really qualified
for. But those are not the criteria for making choices. They may be factors,
but ultimately, our decisions of what to do and what not to do in God's service
must be based on God's guidance.
If God leads us to do something, we can do it even if we
aren't the most qualified and even if it isn't our preference. If, however, God
is not leading, all the qualifications and interest in the world should not
induce us to step forward.
I think of the apostle Paul in two respects. First, he had a
heart for the Jews also, and he habitually started his ministry in each new
city by visiting the synagogues. That was not, however, the primary target
group God had for him, and Paul faithfully carried the gospel to the Gentiles.
Second, in Acts 16, Paul was ready to move to the next geographic area. The
Holy Spirit stopped him more than once before directing him to a specific area.
Paul yielded to the Spirit's direction, not pushing in where he was hindered,
but willingly going where the Spirit directed.
While not Scripture words, Bonar's words are good words for
us: "Did I know it as His will, I would go tomorrow." May that be our
heart - always ready to do what God asks us to do - regardless of personal
preference or sense of ability. We can lay aside our reservations and protests
and simply say, "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net"
(Luke 5:5).
If God leads you to take new steps, don't hold back. If He
leads you to continue just as you have been for years, remain faithful. What
you do today matters for eternity, but true value comes when you closely follow
God's guidance. May He bless your steps.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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