It happened in July 2007; 23 South Korean Christian young medical doctors and nurses went to Afghanistan as a volunteer mission trip and were held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Before the envoy arrived from South Korea, the leader of the mission team, a Pastor, was shot to death by the captors. He left behind his wife and nine-year-old daughter. Then, the second volunteer was executed. Sometime later, the remaining 21 hostages were released. They could spend their vacation at the beach or somewhere else for fun, but they chose to spend it sharing God's love with people in need. Will I choose suffering and hardship for the sake of Christ?
I recall that Pastor Rick Warren mentioned there are two kinds of Christians: world-class Christians and worldly Christians. Worldly Christians look to God primarily for personal fulfillment. They are saved, but self-centered; they attend Christian concerts and seminars, but rarely find them at a mission conference. Their prayers focus on their interests, blessings, and happiness, as if it's a “me-first" faith: ask God to make their lives comfortable and fulfill their wishes -- instead of being used for God's purposes. World-class Christians, in contrast, recognize that they're saved to serve and are called to a mission both locally and globally. They're eager to receive a personal assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God, despite hardship. Their love for God and His people, as well as their joy, confidence, and enthusiasm, are contagious because they know they're making a difference. They wake up each morning expecting God to work through them.
Which type of Christian am I? Which type of Christian are you? How about your church? Which kind of Christian do you think God wants us to be? I do not believe God wants us all to go to Africa or Asia to share the Good News, but I do think that we are all called to share the Good News wherever we live — whether at our workplaces, at home, or in the community. And surely you can PRAY for God's mission right here, where you are, and with your church family; pray for the resources of people, finances, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the nations, salvation for the lost, the least, the last, the nameless, and the broken hearted, as well as blessings for all God's works, etc. Remember, prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in and through His people. Intercession links our inadequacy and God's omnipotence. Lord, cause us to be an intercessor for Your Kingdom. Amen.
