A missionary who had spent...
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A missionary who had spent a lifetime serving and helping people in a third world country was visiting friends and relatives. As he shared the glorious impact of the good news in his adopted country, a member of his family and also a member of the congregational council commented, "And what have you really changed in all these years? You should be here spending more time with your aged parents." The missionary could have talked about all the changes that had come to his part of the world. His area was truly different because he had been there with the message of Jesus Christ. Instead, he simply shared these words: "My parents are already in the hands of the Lord and surrounded by God's caring people. I have been called by the Spirit to be where I am so that others might experience the redeeming, caring love of Christ and of God's people. I am sorry that you can not enter into the joy that the Kingdom of God is bringing to the people I serve in Christ's name." The division within his own family was painful, but the peace of God sustained and strengthened this servant of the Lord. -- Reisen
