On the Shoulder's of Giants- Part 1

Several years ago I wrote this breif article for Ambassador magazine on the great blessing of becoming a student of heroes of faith, particularly of faithful missionaries. It is not that missionaries are the only ones with great faith, it is just that their life frequently becomes a showcase for miraculous demonstration of God's power and reading about it challenges us to take God out of the box of our expectations and think big. Being mentored by heroes of faith, both past and present, men and women, is something close to my heart. We have to be intentional about it.

But I'm going to be redundant. I'll just let you read it for yourself. I'll be posting it in three parts, so stay tuned.

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Part 1
On the Shoulder’s of Giants
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." Sir Isaac Newton

In every generation there are a few who dare to trust God in extreme measure. They are men and women who sit still long enough to hear God’s missionary heart and continue listening until they know how He would have them respond. They are ordinary people used by God in extraordinary ways to spread His glory among the nations.

I am blessed that my parents surrounded me with many such Biblical and historical heroes and heroines growing up. Missionary stories were always a favorite. My father would sit on the bed with all us kids around him and read fascinating accounts of supernatural provision, protection, and conversion. Sometimes at night my mom would turn on dramatized audio biographies of missionaries and I would fall asleep dreaming I was learning Chinese with Hudson Taylor or leading orphans across the mountains with Gladys Aylward. As a little girl, their stories strongly shaped my view of God.

Over the years my appreciation for the practical insight and spiritual determination of these missionaries of faith has grown. We have the awesome privilege of being mentored by Christianities great soul-winners! Here are three significant ways studying their lives enhances our own spiritual walk.

1. Heroes model faith –Scripture exhorts us to study faithful Believers in order to stretch and grow the borders of our own faith. “Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Hebrews 6:12.” From the beginning, modeling a living, dynamic faith has been the primary method for transferring that same faith to the next generation.

Faith-full missionaries are characterized by their commitment to the infallible Word of God and intercessory prayer. It is the dayspring of their missionary vision. It is the secret of their availability to shake the gates of hell. In the small requests and the big needs, in frozen wastelands and muggy jungles, missionaries of faith have seen God’s promises put to extreme tests and have always found them infinitely strong and sweet. Their stories remind us that His grace is sufficient. His peace is beyond understanding. His Word is our richest treasure.