"If I can't ......I'd rather die!"

Think about it. What in this world would possibly drive you to make such a statement?

Fill in the blank space of course and then try it on for size.
"If I can't ......I'd rather die!"

What might fill in the blank space? Thinking about it for a few moments and thinking about some of the things that drive our lives, I wrote a few possibilities. Yours might be listed here or be totally different. Some are slightly humorous, others more serious.

"If I can't lose weight, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't see my kids again, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't get out of this mess, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't get a decent meal, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't figure out these taxes, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't see the Buckeyes (or your team) win, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't find a job, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't get this right, I'd rather die!"

"If I can't be with (him/ her) I'd rather die!"


So, what do you think? Interesting to consider.

Today those same words were spoken to me and caught me off guard. They were spoken very sincerely, with just the right amount of emotion. It was not theatrical, not meant to be dramatic at all. Those words accurately expressed the individual's heart.

The man who spoke them is perhaps, unique. He is a Taiwanese national living here in Belize. He has completely given up his former life and become a true sold-out follower of Jesus Christ. His wife left him because of his strong devotion to God. He continues on. He has no means of support. I am not sure how he ever eats, yet to look at his tall thin, wiry frame, it does not appear that eating is that important to him.

When I listen to him speak, in his broken English, one thing is clear. He has a compelling conviction to share God's Word. Anywhere, with anyone. Truly.

He has not been to a Bible school but he know his Bible.

He has a Mandarin - English Bible as well as another Bible he dutifully carries with him. To peer inside it is to glance at the ruminations of someone who has sat at the feet of Jesus.

When he speaks, he shares from his great learning, from his personal study of God's love letter. He has insights that can only be explained as coming from intense personal times before the Lord. I have seen him diligently studying and have heard him carefully seeking to make clear the treasures he has gained.

This kind-hearted, compassionate gentleman told me today,
"If I eat or not, it is okay."
"Where I stay is no problem."

Those were enough to challenge me. His humble acceptance of where life has him right now is an 'in-your-face' indictment to those who believe we must have things to be just this way and that way.

So what did he say to fill in the blank? What could follow those statements in such a powerful way as to still capture my thoughts hours later?


"If I can't do ministry, I'd rather die!"


Simple. Focused. Powerful.


I arranged for him to share at a local Nazarene church. He took my hand and did something else that humbled me. It was one of those things that you wish a grown man would not do, but it clearly expressed the gratitude of his heart for serving God. As this thin Taiwanese man grasped my hand, he knelt down in front of me on both knees and bowed.

I wanted to pull him to his feet. I wanted to tell him that he has no reason to thank me so profoundly. Yet, I could not, because his heart was showing once again.

I remain challenged and humbled...how about you?

Ray

To the Regions Beyond you...

2 Corinthians 10:15-17

¹⁵Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, ¹⁶so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory. ¹⁷But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

I want to share a story with you. It is not my story, which is why I first included the passage above. Perhaps a small portion of this is my story as well. I have developed a dear friend here in Belize whose heart is precious due to his heart for the Lord. He and his wife are of one heart in their love and service for the Lord and the people He loves.

Felize means happy - and this man is happy. His happy spirit is welcoming and a blessing to many. Felize is not assigned to a particular church right now. Yet he is not idle. He and his wife Remigia are very busy.

This last month Felize went to San Benito Poite to once again help in the construction of a concrete block building for the church there. It is no easy place to get to. After 5 days there, he and Remigia traveled to a new area. Just going to Graham Creek is a much more difficult journey. They took the bus as far as the road allowed, then walked the 1 1/2 hours to this village where a new Nazarene church is finding its beginnings.

Each day was filled with activity. Each day they taught the basics of what our church is - each day they taught about the Articles of Faith and about prayer. Each day the people of the village gathered for another full day of teaching, their spiritual hunger evident and eager.

Each night was not for relaxing. Even though Felize was hoping to go hunting some night in this remote region, that was not to happen. Each night the people asked for a church service. Each night they gathered to sing and to pray and to listen to more teaching and preaching. They enjoyed the services and the fellowship so much that they met together every day and every night --- for 7 days and 7 nights!

During this time, 5 young people gave their hearts to Christ for the first time.

5 others came back to the Lord, finding once again, the forgiveness that they once had held but had walked away from. God is the restorer.

As I said, this is not my story directly. I did not travel all the way to Graham Creek. I did not teach during the day for 7 days and preach at night for 7 nights. But my friend, whom I have invested in - personally and spiritually - he did. So, as he shared the praises with me, a little part of my heart rejoiced. Rejoiced in the wonderful reports and rejoiced that in some small way, I was a part of Felize and Remigia's faithfulness in going to the "Regions Beyond".

Because of Jesus,

Ray & Becki

Eve

A Bible name...that's nice.

Eve is a young lady I recently met. This was one of those times when you wish you could say that it had been under different circumstances. But it was not.

It was not at a funeral, as many times that is when this expression is used.

It was not at the hospital, although it could well have been, and maybe should have been.

In reality, both of those locations would play a role sooner than we imagined.

Eve lay on a small bed in the front room of her brother's house. She is thin...frail actually.

She does not get up when we enter. She does extend her hand from under the covers. We shake hands in a polite greeting.

I squat down next to the bed because I do not want to tower over here while we talk.

There exists in this room and in these moments, a solemn seriousness about meeting Eve.

She is dying.

Eve has AIDS.

There is no talk about how did she contract AIDS or lectures on morality, I never even asked. I did not ask her or the friend who was concerned enough to take me to see her. At this point, it does not matter. Facts are facts...and AIDS kills. Thus, Eve is dying.

She knows it. Her friends knew it. I was just now learning it.

We all talked. No chit chat this day - just straight to the point.

"Eve, do you know the health of your soul?" "Do you know where you will go after this?"

Her eyes pleaded with me, longing to be sure.

I explained the choices. Yes, she had sinned, we all have sinned. And she, like we, all have a choice to make. Would she give her heart and her remaining life to Jesus...or harden herself, embittered against the way her life has turned out?

There is no bitterness. Eve is listening. She is longing for something, some hope. The day before, there was prayer for healing by one of the friends who is with me this day.

This day... well, this day has a different focus. We all want to know for sure that Eve is prepared for eternity. Each of the three of us share from our hearts, urging her to commit to Christ. I share with Eve that the Lord is near. In fact, the Bible says that Jesus is very near, in our hearts, in our mouths, if...

...if she will just believe in her heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Jesus from the dead, then she will be saved. Her soul will spend eternity with Jesus.

"Eve, is that your heart's desire?" I ask. She agrees. We pray.

A holy moment in the midst of life's most serious trial.

When we leave, there is quiet rejoicing. Another soul has been secured. There is a bit more peace in the hearts of these friends this night...and in Eve's heart as well.

Fast forward one week. It was Sunday afternoon when we visited. Instead of relaxing or even seeking a Nazarene nap we had gone to see Eve. Now it is Sunday night, the week following. Eve's family is searching for her friends to come back and visit as she is longing to see them again, to have prayer again. But, it is not to be. Phones are not available and the people cannot be located. This is to be Eve's last night on earth.

We receive the news later in the week. She was officially pronounced on Monday and buried Tuesday. There are moments of reflection now. Quiet, internal reflection. Glad to have gone to see Eve. Glad to have listened to the Spirit's nudge. Glad to have prayed with her. In some ways, glad that her suffering here has ended.

Every story does not end this way. Every person does not end this way. Every one of us may not have such an imminent opportunity...

May I encourage you today to listen for those little nudges from the Spirit? Perhaps you may have an appointment with someone on the eve of eternity.

Blessed,

Ray & Becki