Griffith
John (pictured left), a missionary to China’s Shandong Province a century ago,
sent this sobering report:
"Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together" (John 4:34-36).
In recent months, many people have written to say how deeply touched they were to hear of how God is moving in other parts of the world through our newsletters. Others lamented how much of a struggle it is in their own countries, as people’s hearts appear to be getting harder, and the pessimism of economic gloom is enveloping them.
God is moving in tremendous power and grace in many parts of Asia, and we are continually hearing from our coworkers about how breakthroughs are occurring in various places, of large numbers of new believers being baptized, and of Christian fellowships being formed among some of the world’s most isolated and unreached tribes and ethnic groups.
We have come to realize that such experiences in Asia are considered quite "abnormal" by many Christians in other parts of the world. Although we move back and forward between the Church in Asia and the West, most of our Christian experience has been in the heart of Asia. I began work as a missionary in China as a new believer at the age of 19, and Joy when she was 20. We met on the mission field and were married a few years later. I guess in many ways because we have spent almost all our adult lives working with the "church in revival" in Asia, we have not fully realized the deep struggle and disillusionment many Christians around the world feel.
We want to encourage you not to lose heart if you are experiencing difficulty in your Christian life and witness. There are different seasons, both in the natural world and in the spiritual. You will have heard how tens of millions of Chinese people follow Jesus, and how countless miracles have occurred the length and breadth of that great country. Do you realize, however, that it was not always like this in China?
Griffith
John (pictured left), a missionary to China’s Shandong Province a century ago,
sent this sobering report:
Today that same place where Griffith John and other missionaries faithfully labored for so many years—Shandong Province—is home to approximately 4.5 million Christians! Jesus said we should pray to "the Lord of the Harvest" to send more laborers into the field. Our God is not only the Lord of the harvesters, He is the Lord of the harvest itself! He knows when it is ripe, and can give effective strategies to show His children how to bring in the crop at just the right time. When Griffith John first went to Shandong Province the harvest was not yet ready to be gathered. In later years it was, and an abundant yield for the kingdom of God has resulted.
You too may live in a place where people’s hearts seem as "hard as steel." Don’t be discouraged! Continue to seek the Lord, and He will keep your heart soft and clean. Keep walking faithfully and in obedience to His Word, and share the Good News about Jesus whenever you can. And above all, be sure not to forget that God is still in control of everything!
In the marvellous book of Job, God finally interrupts the aimless advice of Job’s friends and asks him, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me" (Job 41:11). Another translation says, "Who could confront me and get by with it? I’m in charge of all this - I run the universe!" Job was rendered speechless by God’s glory and power, and humbly concluded:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2).Friends, keep seeking the Lord, and pay much closer attention to His Word than to the daily news, politics, or latest economic woes. These things are real, but Jesus Christ is much more real! Cling to Him and trust Him with all your heart, and He will never abandon you. Placing your focus on the things of this world will only bring depression and despair. Placing your focus on Jesus will bring life and vision to your soul.
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Comment from Jeff (Canada) 10 November 09
Amen! I appreciate the July blog. Thank-you for reminding us to be heavenly minded and sharing the joys story of Griffith John, I had never heard of him before.