As I grew up, I grew in the Lord at a marginally slow pace. My vision of God was blurred by many distractions I had created. The most exciting things in my life were computers, hunting, and studying history. I found that I could easily engage someone in a conversation about those things. I worked hard to learn everything there was to know about certain events in history. I spent many hours of the day on my computer playing games or programming. I spend much effort excelling in these things. If you gave me a chance to lead a conversation I would have talked about one of them. By God’s grace, during those years of my life, I still loved talking about the things of God with other people. Even so, I did not find Christ precious enough to the degree that I would think first to discuss Him above my distractions.
God revealed that while these other interests in my life were good things, I had invested my devotion in them over God. I had made them into Idols, in that I served these things with more devotion than I had God. It was visible to anyone who took a look into my life. If you examined how I spent my money, time, and energy it was apparent that I cared most about these things. While I knew that true happiness was found only in God, I looked to earthly goods to satisfy my spiritual soul, and I was disappointed when every time they increasingly didn’t satisfy. Now I can look back after having tasted the sweet meats of God, and see that there was no way they could ever come close to the joy found in Him.
(Isaiah 55:2)
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
This verse really lays it out. There is amazing truth and wisdom here. If I were starving why would I work hard and then purchase something that would not satisfy my hunger? Why labor hard to find joy in materialistic things that cannot bring true joy? In Jesus is true joy, and serving Him is truly a delight. Time spent in Him nourishes our soul with satisfying meat. I can glorify God in enjoying those things, but if I seek joy in them apart from God I am not giving God the glory He is due.
When God revealed this truth to me, my attitude towards missions changed. I delighted exceedingly more in God, my priorities and focus changed to Him. My heart began to seek to share this joy found in Him with others. He revealed wonderful truths concerning missions to me. He showed me that while He is sovereign in salvation, I am responsible to share the gospel with everyone I can. The awesomeness of missions is that they will succeed. God indeed has sheep that will recognize His voice, and they will come when He calls.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)
