(Taken from Global Infusion’s 2010 Prayer Journal)
What do you think they are looking at? What, exactly, are they waiting for? Who, you ask? The witnesses. There’s a cloud of them surrounding you right now. Don’t believe me? Then I guess you didn’t read the verses at the top of this page.
It’s your turn. Many people have paved the way for you to be where you are in the world right now. Some have lived in this century, and have helped you growing up, educating you, and even helping to sponsor your trip. Others, whom you have never met, have been spiritually plowing the tough ground on which you now stand. Others still, have been responsible for carrying God’s Word through very dark periods of history. Some have died for their faith. Many left the safety of their home country, their families, or the promise of a good job or great wealth. Many endured tremendous hardship, poor health, zero amenities, and some denied themselves the privilege and benefits of marriage to dedicate every living day to God and Him alone. Some were Jesus’ very disciples, and they were the catalyst for evangelism and foreign missions as we now know it. But now it’s your turn.
It’s your turn to take what you believe and answer their question. What question is that? It is the question that the witnesses are asking each other every day: “What are they going to do with the product of our sacrifice?” It is up to you to make today count for eternity. When you lay your head on your pillow tonight (if you have one), what will the witnesses be saying. Hopefully, they will see that they did not give up their lives in vain. They will see that every adversity they overcame was completely worth it because someone made sure the saving power of Jesus Christ was made known today. They will grow near to the point of envy as they watch you spend time with an orphan, deliver food to the hungry, provide medicine for a sick family, repair a home, or share your faith with a person who will ultimately make a decision to make Jesus the Lord of their life. They will smile and rejoice because they see there are more Christ-followers spreading the Gospel in the nations of the world than ever before.
And when the days get challenging on the mission field, remember to renew your strength by “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:1). Today, it’s your turn.
