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Specialized Ministry — April 2007 By Pat Daugherty, Cleveland, TN
(Pat is an accomplished writer and speaker. She is also a former International Women’s Ministries Board Member.)
THE PATH CLEARERS
INTRODUCTION:
George Clooney, the actor, (voted the sexist man in America) was interviewed on a morning news show. He said, “I’ve discovered that wherever I am, the lights and cameras will be there—rolling. Therefore, I choose to be photographed among the suffering in Sudan, so that the lens of the camera can shed the light on the plight of the less fortunate on this path called life.”
Mankind was on a dark pathway called life. God saw our plight and used all the star power of heaven to make a pathway to Himself. We are introduced to this Christmas Light—“the glory of the Lord shone round about them. . . . And then the angel said, ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy . . . which shall be to all people’” (Luke 2:9, 10).
With that announcement there unfolded the greatest missions story ever told! It was then that the WORD became a “light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path.” We were able for the first time to see the heart of God through his Son—the missionary! His mission brought Him to “all people.” Not just people who live in your beaten path—but in every path throughout the world.
Disney World has a little boat ride which takes you around a world. While you are riding on this water course and visiting the different countries and cultures, a catchy little song is playing . . . “It’s a Small World After All!”
Access to travel has indeed made it a small world. But, make no mistake, our assignment is big. It’s urgent! Our assignment was given in two words: GO TELL! Did you know that the first Christian missionaries were WOMEN? The angel told the women to “GO TELL.” Jesus then told Mary Magdalene, “GO TELL . . . Peter and the other disciples.” She ran down the path from the garden telling the story.
You might be saying, “But I’m not a GT (GO TELL) person. You don’t have to be a GT (Globe Trotter). But you do have a story to tell! And you have a path to follow. The song gives you a clue as to where your path is. “Go Tell It on the Mountain—here and there and EVERYWHERE”!
Eight years ago, Bob’s path and mine changed dramatically. We were assigned to the World Missions ministry. I shall forever be thankful for this path God chose for us.
On this path, we have met some extraordinary servants called missionaries and they have taught me four things I would like to share with you. They are:
I. GOD’S VIEW OF MISSIONARIES II. GOD VALIDATES MISSIONARIES III. GOD’S VOW TO MISSIONARY SUPPORTERS IV. GOD VALUES HIS MISSIONARIES.
I. GOD’S VIEW OF MISSIONARIES
Our appointment into the department of World Missions took us down a bumpy path. For the first time in our lives, we found ourselves with no house (parsonage) to move into. We had to vacate the South Carolina state parsonage within a week after the appointment. Our house search to rent was futile, so we had to “move” into the (then) Budgetel Motel in Cleveland. All our earthly possessions were sitting out on the motel parking lot in a U-Haul! I was not a happy camper. The Lord clearly understood that I was not a happy camper! It was during this week that the World Missions Department had orientation (since all the missionaries were still in from the General Assembly).
At this particular service, we observed communion and feet washing. The communion was meaningful to me. When we went into the breakout room for the feet washing, I sat down in front of Mary Margaret Morris. As the service began, I bowed before her and started to wash her feet, when suddenly I was stopped! The Lord spoke to my heart as clearly as I’ve ever had Him speak by impression and the message was, “Don’t touch her feet!” At that moment something happened that I’ve yet to be able to explain. It was like a flash of lightning hit her feet and they shone as polished brass. In that startling moment, the Lord said to me, “She is willing to go to Botswana for me. You are not willing to be in Cleveland, TN, to see that she gets there!” It was not a matter of me being too PROUD to wash her feet. It was more a matter of my not being WORTHY . . . to wash her feet. It was then and there that I promised the Lord that I would do whatever He asks of me. Now, eight years later, I can’t begin to tell you what a pleasure it has been to Sunday by Sunday walk into a congregation and represent some of God’s finest servants—called missionaries. “How beautiful are the feet of them who carry (walk the path with) the good news.” God indeed directs the paths of the just. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).
II. GOD VALIDATES MISSIONARIES
One Wednesday night at Westmore Church of God, Lloyd and Edna Frazier were speaking at a mission’s emphasis service. I was looking forward to hearing their stories of being in Panama and Haiti for 20+ years. If you know them, you know them to be very quiet, unassuming and humble people of God. Both of them in speaking said, “Rather than focus or call attention to the things we have done, could we tell you about some of the people that God has privileged and allowed us to meet?” With this, they both gave marvelous testimony to the protection, kindness and goodness of God. The following story still burns in my memory. They related:
One night in a little village in Haiti the Holy Spirit gave a message, “Destruction is coming, but you will be spared.” Two weeks later one of those monsoon rains came gushing down the mountain right toward the little church and parsonage, which were directly in it’s path. As the waters roared down however, something supernatural happened. As it reached the church and parsonage, the water parted and left the buildings standing untouched!” The village leader called for the villagers to meet in church building (the only one left standing) to make rebuilding plans. Near the top of the ceiling in the little church they wrote “Their God!” God is a path maker! He made a path through the Red Sea and He proved He hadn’t lost His power to do it again!
III. GOD’S VOW TO MISSIONARY SUPPORTERS
I have learned first hand that God repays blesses and prospers those who support His missionaries. Before working in world missions, all my focus was on the sacrifice the missionaries were making. Make no mistake about it, they do sacrifice but not as you suppose. Most all of them will say, “It’s the highest privilege and calling in life to be called to be a “missionary.” They feel like Mary when she said, “I am highly favored of God.” I asked several of them when we were just sitting around the table fellowshipping, “What is it about the states that you miss?” (I was thinking in material terms). Their answers were. Of course we miss our families, and the fellowship of other Christians, but materially, we have all we really need. Doesn’t that punch a hole in the prosperity package message? As does the scripture, “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15b).
God has those who give regularly out of their need to missionaries. One dear friend of ours sets apart mission money out of her “limited” monthly income, along with her tithes. She needed a winter coat but wouldn’t use her mission money to buy one. This friend lives where you need a WINTER coat—she was in Cleveland and visited the Seminary. The tour-guide, said, “Do you need a coat? This coat was left hanging here over a year ago.” She tried the coat on and it fit perfectly! Was that a coincidence? Or was Proverbs 3:6 working? “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.”
IV. GOD VALUES MISSIONARIES
If you have never been to the funeral/memorial service of a missionary, you have missed one of the sweetest moments in the presence of God. We have now attended several, and without exception, there is a marked reverence and atmosphere that comes into that service. When you hear people of other races and culture rise to pay tribute and say to the deceased, “I thank you for bringing Jesus to me,” this puts what this life is really all about in perspective.
Let me close with this pathway story the Frazier’s related.
One time in Haiti they were going to a village to minister and they knew that the road to this village would run out and they would have at least five miles if not more to walk. When they reached the dead end and began the trek, they noticed that the under brush had been cleared and the path was smooth. Upon reaching the village, they learned that the people had worked hard and long by hand, to clear a path for them for they could come tell them “The Story.”
Did they know any of their names? No! Does God know the names of those who cleared the path? YES! Someday in heaven, there will be a group of path clearers that will be recognized and honored. Are you a path clearer?
There are those all over this world who need to see the pathway to heaven just a little clearer. Can you be one who will help them see Jesus clearer? Jesus, the missionary said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Some how I think those who help make the path clear to Jesus, are those who can best sing the old song from our red-back hymnal: “The Glory-Land Way.” Listen to them, “Heaven is nearer and the way groweth clearer . . . for I’m in the glory-land way.”
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