UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (10)

Never a Lone Ranger 


"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone ? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken". Ecclesiastes 4:9-12


God has not called any man to bear his burden alone. In the beginning, God gave man a burden bearer. The making of the world does not call any man to walk and work alone. A lone ranger is an easy prey to the enemy. 


There was a time the great Apostle Paul was overwhelmed by the burden and challenges of mission that he felt lonely and retreated into Tarsus. That possibly would have been the end of his fruitful ministry until Barnabas sought after him  brought him into the company of brethren to get refreshed and revived for the work "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: "And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch". Acts 11:25-26. 


The mission of Elijah was brought to an abrupt end the moment he began to feel lonely. In 1 Kings 19: 14ff, he told God that he was the only prophet remaining in Israel and that others have forsaken the Lord. But the Lord told him: "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him". 1 Kings 19:18. 


The greatest silent killer of a missionary is when he walks, works, reasons and thinks alone. There would be a time when he may possibly cave in to the burden of the work no matter how strong and potent he think he is. 


It is necessary for a missionary to have company of burden bearers of whom he can share his joy, pain and passion with. The Early Church Fathers understood this and therefore, sustained and flamed their company. " As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God" Acts 4:23-24. The company of believers was the physical comforter and strength of the ailing and threatened believer (s). No one walked and died a lone ranger. 


When Apostle Paul was left for dead, the company of believers brought him back to life: "Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe" Acts 14:19-20. 


Truly, God hasn't call us as a group. He calls each one of us and gives him a unique assignment. But, the truth is that, he is not the only one called to do the task. There are several others who at one time or the other called to serve in such capacity. Therefore, it is imperative for a missionary to be diligent in knowing others who carries his kind of burden and join their company; a company that is indispensable for his continual strength and sustainamce in the work 


Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA 

Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

WhatsApp (+229)94139130

Mobile no. +2348066540987, +2347084504532

peterrazaq@yahoo.com

Twitter & Instagram: @peterrazaq

Linkedin: Revd. Peter OLAYINKA


Comments

  1. RCCG CALVARY PARISH13 February 2023 at 11:22

    A charcoal that separates itself from the fire will lose its heat and fire. Iron sharpeneth iron.

    ReplyDelete

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