Dan’s post last week, “Foreign Intelligence,” got me thinking.
There are times when I wonder if I need to change my glasses—metaphorically—to correct, or even remove, a myopic vision that only sees or cares about the first-world problems surrounding me.
Of course, the problems in my life, city, state, region, and country are of great importance. But they are not the only ones. Our God is a big God. He reigns over me and the other eight billion people on this planet.
“Forgive me, Lord, for being small-minded. Help me improve my writing to captivate, convict, and compel readers. Expand my vision to see how the world will be different tomorrow by the words I write today.”
Meditate upon and then share this video on “The Power of Story” created by African Inland Mission International.
Don’t know if I can change the world
or if I want to try,
and so I’ll keep my guidon furled
and keep my powder dry,
for I have made so very many
very bad mistakes.
Called for a pound, I spent a penny,
but baby, that’s the breaks
when you take care of Number One
and leave a hurting world ignored.
I know now I let down the Son,
so I won’t head myself toward
a role in which too late I serve
for praise I never will deserve.
Andrew, I think you reach more people than you realize. God takes all our words, ALL OF THEM, and uses them for His purpose. Steve’s blog has readers all around the world, I bet.
Be encouraged!
Pam, thank you.
I have to keep a fairly harsh reality check on everything I do, but especially the writing. I hope that there’s worth in my words, but I try real hard never to assume that, especially knowing where I came from, knowing the subconscious pull to be self-serving.
And, honestly, the millstone must grind finer with every passing day, and yesterday was truly the only easy time.
((hugs)) and prayers!
Andrew, I admire your humility and appreciate your heart. Your last sentence about the millstone is so deep and inspirational. Thank you. It’s a great thought with which to begin my day. God bless you as you focus on your relationship with Him and continue to guard your heart and mind for His glory.
I agree that you likely don’t know the reach of your words, but maybe that’s what pleases God the most…when we don’t. You are in my prayers today.
I love this prayer! Hope plagiarism in this case is ok as I want to pray it.
ohmygoodness, Steve … this is incredibly timely. I woke up just this morning with a book idea. Not to spread the Gospel to foreign nations, but something for seniors with dementia. It’s bare bones, but there’s something solid about it. It came to me in a dream.
It’s not just natives in Africa who have never heard of Jesus. My first husband (my son’s father) had never heard of Jesus and the cross. We were watching Ben Hur on TV in 1980 and during the crucifixion scene, he asked me what was happening. He had never heard of it! And what’s really sad was that I knew but didn’t have the right words to clearly explain because I had not been taught how to explain it to others even though I went to church my whole life.
My youngest daughter, Mary, is getting ready for a short-term missions trip to India and she is super excited!
I have my special needs adult daughter, Anna, who needs 24/7 care, so if I have something to say to the nations, God uses my words. My stories. We writers are missionaries of the written word!
What is God calling us to? To go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation, right? He will tell us how and where He wants us to do that. And He will help us! He’s so good!
Not only that, but God Himself will make sure EVERYONE hears the Gospel story before the End.
Rev. 14:6 “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” ESV
Thank you for this fresh look on spreading the Gospel, Steve!
I love this video! AIM is the group Scott and I went with to Kenya that year he taught at Moffatt College of Bible. It had such a great impact on all our family. Yes, we must keep telling those stories and we must be sure all the world hears.
Thanks. For training on storytelling, I recommend reading Nourishing Narratives by Jennifer Holberg.
I love that more authors tell stories from cultures outside our narrow view. I have sponsored girls in Kenya for over 20 years now yet still know so little. Our church has 26 international flags, mostly from African homes of origin of our parishioners. Yet theirs stories eke out in dribbles. Thank you for addressing our need to know and understand the many diverse origins and traditions that make up our melting pot country.
What an inspiring video! The power of God’s Word brought light to the world, and we can reflect that light through our words. May God give us the persistence and strength to accomplish His will.
“Oh God Increase my territory,” Deuteronomy 19:8 God bless me that I might bless others? Inspire my words that I might inspire others?
Yes, Dan’s blog affected me too.
Thank you, Steve.
This is an eye-opening post, and I love the prayer!