When I will be spiritual...

20.01.2022

Thursday January 20, 2022

So be careful how you behave : do not behave like madmen, but like wise men : redeem the time, because the days are bad. Ephesians 5:15,16

James o. Fraser served the Lord in the China Inland Mission. A gifted preacher and man of prayer, he was also a linguist, musician and engineer. Arriving in Yunnan Province in 1910, he worked among the Lisu people. Through him, God enabled multitudes of Lisu to turn to Jesus Christ. James o. Fraser wrote in “River of Light” :

“The temptation that I often had to face came back in many forms : “If only I were already at such and such a stage, what great things I could do ! Now, of course, I am only studying engineering, but when I do my missionary training, it will be different and more useful”. Or “I am still only in preparation, I am taking Bible courses, etc., but when I leave for China, my work will begin”. Or “Yes, I'm gone now, but I'm only on my way; when I am in China, I will have a wonderful service opportunity.” Or finally “You see, here at the training center (in China), I have to devote all my time to studying the language ; How could I do missionary work ? But when I'm settled and fluent, the possibilities will be limitless,” and so on.

Always “if” and “when”. I believe that Satan has a predilection for these conjunctions. Today I am offered, to a certain extent, the possibilities that he has long presented to me as future (even if I have not always yielded to these temptations)... The truth is however simple : Scripture does not specify anywhere the opportunities to be useful, but to serve in all the things that are within our reach.

The Lord commands us to work, to watch, to pray, but Satan suggests that we wait for an opportunity to work, to watch, to pray - an opportunity which, needless to say, always lies in the future.

As everything in my immediate path has been willed by God, who will say if this work is more important than another ?

Do not miss the opportunity to spread the Gospel and do not postpone the service that God presents to us.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)