ready too late? How about your health? Can you endure the rigors of difficult climates? Education both secular and theological is imperative. Obstacles and hindrances will be overcome or taken away if God wants you to go for Him. To me, the call is that divine urge that makes it impossible for one to resist. For me, I'm like a hunter’s dog on a leash, straining to get away. It’s that ir resistible “must” ! I see constantly the distant fields. I feel that, come what may, I have no choice but to go. I’m not satisfied to settle down where I am. That urge I followed and I’ve never been disappointed. Stir me Lord, I care not how, But stir my heart In passion for the world. Stir me to give To go But most, to pray. Stir me to give Heathen darkness, lie or deserts Where no Cross is lifted high. If you really want to hear God’s voice, if you really want to do His will, I can tell you how you can find out whether or not He has called you to the foreign field. First, start praying about your life’s work every day. Set aside a time to wait on God about it. Ask, “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do ?” Second, as you pray, read missionary biographies. When I was a student, I purchased a whole shelf of biographies and read two or three chapters each day. In this 20th century, we’re living in a difficult atmosphere. Put yourself in a frame of mind so that you can hear His voice. Before long you’ll be burdened for some particular field. That is the way many missionaries have heard God’s call. If you dis obey, you’ll do so at your own peril. You’ll never be happy except in the center of God’s will. Satan may seek to turn the members of your own Is unfurled o’er lands That still in darkness,
family against you. I can’t tell you how many have come to me in middle life saying, "Dr. Smith, God called me to be a missionary, but I married a man who didn’t want to. Now we have a family and it’s too late. I’ve missed God’s best.” If God's called you, you have no right to keep com pany with anyone who is not trav elling in your direction. Faithfully follow these suggestions and God will lead you into the most glorious work ever committed to man. You’ll be come a missionary and your- life will be invested in a worthwhile work. Conscious of the leading of the Lord, you’ll never be disappointed. John G. Paton argued, “I clearly saw that all at home had free access to the Bible and the means of grace. Gospel light was shining all around them. The poor heathen were perishing without even the chance to learn of God’s love and mercy.” He left the homeland, made the sacrifice, and labored for the Lord Jesus Christ, accomplishing a work which will en dure through all the countless ages of eternity. Have you heard the call? Are you praying about your life’s work? Have you laid that life of yours on the altar for the Lord Jesus Christ? Again, there’s no place of happiness in this world except in the very cen ter of the will of God. Make yourself available to God. Will you then listen to His voice? years ago. There are still pioneer fields where heroism is demanded and persecution rages. We have won derful examples from men like David Brainard who testified, “Here am I, Lord, send me. Send me to the rough savage pagans of the wilder ness. Send me from all that’s called comfort on earth.” Would to God we could see such dedication today! 9 C hapter S ix M issionary work today is very different from what it was 50
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