There is a story about an old Scots minister who after a life time of service climbed wearily into the pulpit one Sunday. Bowed and dejected, he had just faced the harsh criticism of one of his deacons. "Sir, there is something radically wrong with your ministry. Only one person has been saved this year, and he is only a boy."
The words stung him, for he, too, felt heartbroken that so few had responded to the Gospel; yet still he trusted God for the results.
The service concluded, but the weary man of God lingered on in the church, wondering if there was any point continuing in the ministry. A young lad saw him and waited behind. Please, sir... ." "Yes, Robert?" "Do you think if I worked hard for my education that I could ever become a preacher?" "God bless you, my boy," replied the old man with tears in his eyes. "Yes, I think you will become a preacher!"
It was years later that an elderly missionary came back to London from Africa. He had pushed back the boundaries of geographical knowledge and brought savage chiefs under the influence of the Gospel of Peace, given tribes the Bible in their own tongues; but most of all, he had followed the Lord with all of his heart.
Robert Moffat, "only a boy," won to Christ by a tired old man, had become a soul winner!
On one visit to England, Robert told of the need of Africa. Among those who heard him that day was a young Scottish medical student who had given his life to God for missionary service. Robert Moffat's words pierced his heart: "There is a vast plain to the north where I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been."
Filled with the vision of what God wanted him to do, the student asked Mr. Moffat, "Would I do for Africa?" The direction of David Livingstone's life had been changed.
Who can tell what impact was made through the ministry of the first old Scotsman? "Only a boy" it seemed, yet far off generations and tribes knew the effect of it!
You never know what God is doing and can do through your witness. Do not be discouraged. But trust and pray on! Many times we touch the lives of others and will never know out impact until we are with the Lord.
The words stung him, for he, too, felt heartbroken that so few had responded to the Gospel; yet still he trusted God for the results.
The service concluded, but the weary man of God lingered on in the church, wondering if there was any point continuing in the ministry. A young lad saw him and waited behind. Please, sir... ." "Yes, Robert?" "Do you think if I worked hard for my education that I could ever become a preacher?" "God bless you, my boy," replied the old man with tears in his eyes. "Yes, I think you will become a preacher!"
It was years later that an elderly missionary came back to London from Africa. He had pushed back the boundaries of geographical knowledge and brought savage chiefs under the influence of the Gospel of Peace, given tribes the Bible in their own tongues; but most of all, he had followed the Lord with all of his heart.
Robert Moffat, "only a boy," won to Christ by a tired old man, had become a soul winner!
On one visit to England, Robert told of the need of Africa. Among those who heard him that day was a young Scottish medical student who had given his life to God for missionary service. Robert Moffat's words pierced his heart: "There is a vast plain to the north where I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been."
Filled with the vision of what God wanted him to do, the student asked Mr. Moffat, "Would I do for Africa?" The direction of David Livingstone's life had been changed.
Who can tell what impact was made through the ministry of the first old Scotsman? "Only a boy" it seemed, yet far off generations and tribes knew the effect of it!
You never know what God is doing and can do through your witness. Do not be discouraged. But trust and pray on! Many times we touch the lives of others and will never know out impact until we are with the Lord.
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