It is a good day in our home. We had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. We have plenty to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over our heads. While our ages are starting to present their shares of creaks and aches, we are blessed with being healthy. For all of these things I am thankful, and the list could go on.

Today however, something is added to qualify this day as blessed. Today we celebrate that Christ will soon be preached where He has not been named yet as Savior and Lord.

The Great Commission (Photo credit: Perfesser)

In less than one month a family of missionaries will settle into their new homes in an African village. There they will live much different lives than my wife and I. They’ll not have access to the conveniences we often take for granted. Water will be a commodity and not wasted. They will eat to live, and not live to eat. Their budget will require them to ration their resources. They may even face persecution.

Why would this family make such sacrifices? I personally believe the father of this godly family has learned something every believer needs to learn… especially me. He has learned of a holy ambition to meet an immeasurable need. He knows that the people he will live among desperately need a Savior. He intends to carry Him there.

He has learned the mindset of Paul as he quoted Isaiah, “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand (Romans 15:21).” He has learned the heart of Christ who is not slack concerning His promise, and is not willing that any should perish. He has heard the call of the Great Commission and will go with Jesus to the farthest of nations because he is indebted to every living person who has yet to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, will You search my heart… will You change my heart? Let me see the world’s need for Jesus just as You do. Give me the strength and the desire to spend and be spent for Your Kingdom. May You be glorified in all!