This is one of my absolute favorite quotes..
"Until your mission is complete, you are bulletproof." - Jim Elliott
There are many things in life that I think I choose not to do for fear of it turning into a fatal decision. There are many times I find myself worrying about a friend or a family member who is away on a trip, or out of the country - or really just out of my sight for the moment.
I have a dear friend living in Honduras right now. One of my Dad's first comments (when talking abt my friend) is "it's dangerous over there".. *laughs* .. yes, it is dangerous. but when you think about it, really - so is everywhere else. It's just a matter of whether the danger is seen or unseen.. ;)
I also have a grandfather who, while he's not on his death bed, his health is failing. And my dad mentors a doctor/missionary from Egypt. The updates we hear abt the situation over there would cause most people to flee in fear. Then there's my "adopted kids" that I hope one day to know their names and hug their bodies and kiss their faces, that I often wonder about where they are now, and what they are doing/is being done to them..
And so, while I often find myself praying for my friends safety, for comfort for my grandpa, for peace and wisdom for those living in Egypt, and for my kids wherever they are, I must choose to trust that God knows the number of each persons days, and will keep each one of them here until that time. What Psalms 90 says in verse 12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.." rings so true to me.. and it's echoed again in Psalm 39:4,"Show me, O LORD, my life's end, and the number of my days.."
I don't say this to be morbid, but to affirm that I trust beyond a shadow of a doubt that God knows - down to the second - how much time we have here on earth. And until that "mission" is complete - nothing will keep us from accomplishing it. His Sovereignty is the greatest comfort I can imagine.
Soli Deo Gloria
:D
Mmm - so timely. I've been listening to David Platt's "Radical" series and I happened to catch the headlines the other day about the Iranian Christian who is going to be executed because he refuses to denounce his faith - and all those things come together to make me stop and think, "How can I be so concerned about watching my own backside, making sure I'm 'safe' and 'comfortable'? I wrote on my mirror last night, "Give me a willing and obedient heart, one that doesn't give thought to consequences or demands." That Jim Elliot quote brings that to life - until whatever is accomplished that needs to be accomplished, I need to be obedient and heed Him. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteIts so hard to think that we may not have a tomorrow and that we must live our best for today. I often think as if I am immortal...I can't imagine growing old or dying...so I procrastinate. Not a good mindset nor action. May God bring about a change in me. Amen.
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