And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20, KJV).Petite and quiet, my friend at Pensacola looked at least two years younger than she was. Rachel usually just listened while Danielle and I did most of the talking. We walked to church one night, Danielle and I rattling on about the state of churches in America today, and Rachel adding to the conversation at intervals. Her voice was so gentle and quiet that I could hardly hear her above the noise from all of the students walking to the Campus Church.
However, Danielle and I knew something about our quiet friend that most people would have never suspected. Rachel was preparing to be a medical missionary to South America. She was no stranger to missionary work. Already the quiet, frail girl had journeyed through the jungles of Brazil on medical mission trips. She had already tasted some of the trials and hardships of the life that she was bargaining for. Yet to see Rachel’s eyes light up as she shared pictures from her trips, or talked about the people that she so deeply loved, it was easy to see that the difficulties only strengthened the determination of our friend.
A life with purpose and meaning springs out of conviction and dedication. Whenever I have something in life that is worth dying for, then I have found a life worth living. To Rachel, spreading the Gospel through medicine in South America was worth spending her life on.
My high school Bible teacher used to challenge his class, “Invest your life in the two things that are eternal: the souls of men, and the Word of God.” That is what I am reminded of when I think about this next chapter of my life. The Lord wants me to live the “missionary life”—the life that learns to sacrifice for what it believes in; the life that is dedicated to spreading the Gospel. The question is not about whether I will obey, but about how I will obey. Can I find joy, contentment and peace if my Lord asks me to remain behind while others go? That is my cross—joyful obedience where ever He asks it.
Just as my sweet friend is responding joyfully to her calling to obey, I must respond with joy to mine. A few years ago, I struggled to accept the fact that the Lord has placed me in the States. However, my prayer has been that He would give me the heart to do His will, and He has done just that. He has filled my heart with peace, contentment and joy as I live the “missionary life”—right where He has placed me.
However, Danielle and I knew something about our quiet friend that most people would have never suspected. Rachel was preparing to be a medical missionary to South America. She was no stranger to missionary work. Already the quiet, frail girl had journeyed through the jungles of Brazil on medical mission trips. She had already tasted some of the trials and hardships of the life that she was bargaining for. Yet to see Rachel’s eyes light up as she shared pictures from her trips, or talked about the people that she so deeply loved, it was easy to see that the difficulties only strengthened the determination of our friend.
A life with purpose and meaning springs out of conviction and dedication. Whenever I have something in life that is worth dying for, then I have found a life worth living. To Rachel, spreading the Gospel through medicine in South America was worth spending her life on.
My high school Bible teacher used to challenge his class, “Invest your life in the two things that are eternal: the souls of men, and the Word of God.” That is what I am reminded of when I think about this next chapter of my life. The Lord wants me to live the “missionary life”—the life that learns to sacrifice for what it believes in; the life that is dedicated to spreading the Gospel. The question is not about whether I will obey, but about how I will obey. Can I find joy, contentment and peace if my Lord asks me to remain behind while others go? That is my cross—joyful obedience where ever He asks it.Just as my sweet friend is responding joyfully to her calling to obey, I must respond with joy to mine. A few years ago, I struggled to accept the fact that the Lord has placed me in the States. However, my prayer has been that He would give me the heart to do His will, and He has done just that. He has filled my heart with peace, contentment and joy as I live the “missionary life”—right where He has placed me.
- by Rebecca Gaither
(Photo: Rebecca in back)
(Photo: Rebecca in back)
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2 comments:
nice post. I taught nursing at Pensacola Christian, so I may have been one of Rachel's instructors! Small world.
"Invest your life in the two things that are eternal: the souls of men, and the Word of God."
That's a good quote to remember. In this world filled with SO many distractions, it really simplifies things, doesn't it?
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