23 July | Youth
«And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?» 1 Corinthians 15:30
Leaving your comfort zone is not always easy. In fact, everything that affects our stability creates disruption, requires effort and self-sacrifice to become reality. It is no different with the mission of proclaiming the eternal gospel. We know that God called us for this purpose and that it is extremely urgent to fulfill our calling. Even so, talking about Christ to the entire world remains a great challenge. Perhaps what we lack is a true love for this cause, a more enthusiastic heart for the work.
Even recognizing the great challenge of evangelization, the apostle Paul never gave up on fulfilling it. Reflecting on his missionary efforts, he mentions persecutions, floggings, shipwrecks, deprivations and various dangers he experienced. All of this could have resulted in discouragement, but, as he had his heart in the mission, all these obstacles were overcome. Every danger faced alongside Jesus becomes a great adventure.
David Livingstone was a great missionary. He had his heart in the mission. His story became known for the famous expedition to Africa, to the tributaries of the Zambezi River, in Zambia, in 1841. Livingstone walked more than 40,000 kilometers to bring the message of salvation to the natives of the region. The mission cost his and his family’s lives. His wife died of malaria in 1862, and he also died of the same disease in 1873.
According to reports, he died kneeling. The natives who found him prepared his body to be sent to England, where he was buried, with honors, at Westminster Abbey, in London, in 1874. The natives did not allow Livingstone's heart to go with his body. They buried it under a tree, in front of which they later established the Livingstone Memorial. It would be unfair to bury in England the heart of someone who loved the mission and Africa so much.
The world today needs men and women with the same sense of mission as David Livingstone. Everywhere there are hearts hungry for hope and love. An awakening of missionary zeal will precede Jesus’ coming. Put your heart into the mission, and God will use you mightily.