Sowing Seeds in Dying

                                     

Have you ever noticed that a great number of missionary biographies are about people who never did anything more than die, or, at least died very early in ministry so that their deaths become the most significant thing about them.

One of the first major stories in the book of Acts is about Stephen.  He had a great testimony in dying.  He showed no signs of fear when the crowd began to pelt him with vicious words and damaging rocks.  He died praying for his persecutors and praising the Lord. 

Down through the years, there have been many missionaries who have left home and given their lives for service to Christ only to find themselves rejected by the people to whom they have come to minister. When we reflect on their lives, the most notable fact is that they died.  The challenge that is given is not that they served, but that they died.  Of course they died in his service, but they serve as a reminder that God is more interested in who we are and our willingness to do what He wants.  What we do is not nearly as significant as what we are and what we are willing to do.

The testimony of the death of a servant of God may be a challenge to many to go and serve.  The greatest result that may come from the martyr’s going is that as the death is reported, hundreds and thousands respond and go.  That death has been a challenge to many and will continue to be that challenge.

It is like they are saying, “If you are going to go, you must be willing to die.”  The sand on the beaches of that river in Ecuador cry out, “There are people here who need your message. Will you follow in the footsteps of those whose blood saturated our sands?”

God doesn’t ask you to die.  He just asks you to be willing to die.  Neither does He ask you to live.  He just asks you to be willing to live for Him. As we face our future, are we willing for our biography to be one that tells of the life that we laid down in service for Him?