Through faithful giving, prayer, and a willingness to go, each of us can have a part in carrying the goodness of God to the world.
Dr. David Livingstone, a Scottish medical missionary from the nineteenth century, has remained until this day a striking example of a man who was unashamed to take the goodness of God to the unseen masses on the continent of Africa. His 32-year journey spanned over 40,000 miles – many of those on foot. His dedication was legendary. He viewed the hardships of his journey not as losses but as sacrifices for the glory of God. He once famously declared, “I would rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of God, than on the throne of England, out of the will of God.” Truly, Dr. Livingstone was one-of-a-kind, and we can all learn much from his life.
It is with the spirit of Livingstone that we as a church look to the mission field. As we send our missionaries to the far corners of the earth, we too see the sacrifices that must be made to get the Gospel to the lost. And this we must do for Christ himself commanded,
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
If God doesn’t lead you to a foreign field, make sure you do your part to spread the Gospel to those around you. Christ’s admonition extends to us all.
Your mission dollars and consistent prayers bring the Goodness of God to the lives of those who are reaching people that you otherwise cannot reach. Missionaries rely on the Goodness of God to sustain them, and God uses His people as the channels to provide that sustenance.
“What am I doing to help spread the Gospel?”
Your giving does more than you realize. It provides food for the missionaries’ tables. It puts clothing on the backs of their children. It pays the rent for the building where they gather for church, and it puts fuel in their decrepit vehicles. Every expense they encounter as they spread the good news of the Gospel is reliant on the generous giving of God’s people. Therefore, we must give. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Each week I have the privilege of reading numerous letters and emails from our supported missionaries. I read about their victories and their defeats, and I read about their gains and losses. Sometimes I weep as they explain the details of the heartaches they must endure or the health crises they face. Most missionaries will let us know if they have specific needs, but some will suffer in silence. It behooves us to pray! “Pray without ceasing!” Prayer doesn’t cost us anything. We can offer up that sweet-smelling savor to God at any time and at any place. That is one of the amazing aspects of God’s Goodness. We don’t have to have a priest or other intercessor go to God on our behalf. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
I hope you have made plans to attend our Missions Conference this November 15th through the 18th. You will be introduced to four brand new missionaries, and you will have a chance to be a blessing to them. I challenge you, as you listen to their presentations and watch their videos, to put yourselves in their shoes. Imagine that it is you who is preparing to go to a foreign field. Then imagine how much you would want these church people to get behind you and support you.
– Seth Waggoner, Missions Director
Make it personal. Let God work in your heart and be a channel of His Goodness.