Why?
Why did Laila and I leave after Sunday Bible study and drive 450 miles to Cleveland, TN, to be in a 6 PM worship service?
Because: Covenant Church serves a missionary who serves underground believers in a country terrorized by a despotic cultic leader. It was our privilege to open doors allowing numerous friends to hear the missionary speak of the blood of martyrs and their commitment unto death.
Meanwhile, Executive Pastor McCready preached both services. The able and excellent pastoral staff did hospital visitation, taught classes, counseled, prayed and effected support ministry.
Why, after two days with the missionary, would the pastor travel four hours by car, 2,000 miles by plane, rent a car and drive 140 miles before going to bed at 3:30 a.m.? Why sleep in a bunkhouse and a Motel 6, when I have a comfortable home? Why go to the Navajo Indian Nation to minister?
Because: the Lord has been so good to Covenant Church. His favor has given to us precious people of many colors, countries, and cultures. And our heart has been strangely warmed by the sweet call to share the gospel with all peoples, nations, and tongues. Where we cannot go, we pray to help send those who are willing to go and share the gospel.
I have imagined that Great Day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. There, over on the right. See them? That group of humble people -- those who were not allowed by their despotic leader to look toward heaven. They were forced to look down until their necks were arched. There are thousands of them who humbly rise as the Lord God Almighty announces: “Rise, let me hear of your testimony.”
From prostrate positions of humility, they rise to speak as if with one voice.: “We, Oh Righteous Father, are followers of Jesus. We heard. We believed. Many of us never saw a Bible. We never attended a public building designated as a church. We met secretly, whispered our songs and sermons. Our backs were beaten. We were tortured, imprisoned, humiliated, and separated from our families. But we held to our faith. Our love for Jesus was pure. We trusted for the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us. On earth we were called “heaven people”. However, our own governments hunted us as animals. We were raped, imprisoned, and slaughtered. Yet we were faithful unto death.”
“Come forth,” booms the voice of the Omnipotent Voice of eternity. “Receive a Crown of Life and rewards everlasting!”
Meanwhile, I yet kneel, waiting for my time of testimony. What shall I say? “Lord, you let me be born in the world’s richest country. I never knew real hunger. I was able to bathe daily with fresh water. I lived in a climate-controlled home and attended a church with padded seats and climate control. I shed no blood for you. I gave offerings, but always had some left. I had several Bibles and many books to help me study about Jesus and the work of the Church.”
Shall this be my testimony? Just after the “heaven people” have testified, shall I follow with a pitiful and selfish testimony of having had so much and given so little? Shall I have so much and answer for so little? Shall I stand before the Almighty and testify that heaven’s blessings in my life on earth were for my selfish benefit?
I yet imagine. A friend bakes a pie, my favorite pie. While I watch my friend begins to eat the pie. I sit across the table munching a store bought cookie three days old. Shall I be content while I watch the gradual disappearance of my favorite pie? I exclaim: “Oh, please, may I have at least a small piece of the pie?” Joyfully, my friend shares with me.
Oh, I can imagine. I can imagine that many who came through fire, who shed their blood, who gave their lives, will rise and say: “O, Father, we would also testify of dear brothers and sisters from Covenant Church, who in their plenty sacrificed to support missionaries, and send food and Bibles. Though we never met on earth, we knew our brothers and sisters cared for us, loved us, and were keeping us ever before your throne in prayer.”
Why must we go and send, I ask you. Why must we be bigger than the geography on Rio Road? Because: Jesus came to us. Because: Jesus sent others to us. Because: the Church is Christ’s, from Adam to eternity. Can we do less to show our gratitude?
That is why.
Loving you as we love others,
Pastor Bare
Romans 10