Moses alone in the wilderness watched the stars. David in the night watches kept his sheep. God’s greatness filled their hearts. They both tended the sheep, cuddled the baby lambs, cared for the heavy ewes, and learned patience, humility, and gentleness. Then they said, “Thy gentleness hath made me great .” This is a critical time. Anyone whomay have picturedmissionary life as a “step up” will be disappointed. He will find he is now living only unto the Lord, for there is no congregation to appreciate his efforts, no one to congratulate him on his consecration, nobody to commend his zeal. This is the time when he can be faithful in the so-called “little things” and learn that God is “the God of patience.” (Romans 15:5) He can bandage up his tropical ulcers and “offer up the sacrifice of praise” (Jeremiah 33:11; Hebrews 13:15). Or, he can bog down in the rut of monotony, take up a few hobbies to kill time, listen to the tempter’s sneers, and eventually give up. Away from the sham and show of society, this first period of frustration is meant to be a “making” period, for a geographical location doesn’t make a missionary. Faith, vision, fruitfulness - these things are not products of going to live in a foreign country. “If my circumstances were different, I would be more consecrated.” “If my environment were more conducive to a prayer life, I’d be more spiritual.”
36
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker