Whatever It Takes

I love the story from this month's VOM newsletter about a farmer named "Miguel" who lives along the border between Columbia and Venezuela. The article says that Miguel is well known in the area for sharing the gospel and that many guerilla soldiers stop by his farm to rest or to get a glass of water as they travel between Columbia and hidden guerilla camps located across the border in Venezuela. Miguel then uses the opportunity to share his faith with them or to read to them from the Bible! 

What fascinates and encourages me about this is that even though Miguel is well known for his faith in Jesus Christ, the soldiers still stop by! What a perfect example of how God uses people to bring His kingdom to earth as we faithfully and obediently follow Jesus! God positioned Miguel in the perfect location to share His love with people who have not heard it. What I love is how Miguel obediently gives them water and opens up his home to the soldiers (hospitality). I think it would be cool to offer our home to people as a place of rest and refuge, as they pass through on their way to somewhere and to have that opportunity to demonstrate and share Jesus' love with them as we visit and share a meal together. Wouldn't that be cool?! 

The story goes on to say that Miguel is under a death threat because of his evangelistic work, but that's not new to him. After Miguel shared the gospel with one guerilla soldier, the man slammed his gun down on the table and told him that he was going to kill him. Miguel told the man to, "Go ahead. I'm ready to die for Christ." The guerilla soldier told Miguel that he had never seen an evangelical like him and therefore was going to buy a Bible and come and spend an entire day with him to study the Bible! Faith that can move mountains! 

Unfortunately, Miguel hasn't had the opportunity to meet with the soldier because all guerillas are under orders to kill him on sight for leading many of them to Christ who have subsequently left the communist movement. Miguel is concerned about his family, but says, "If I die, I go to be with Jesus. It doesn't matter."

In Philippians 1:21-22, the Apostle Paul shares his purpose and what I believe is every Christian's purpose: 

For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ.

This is the same attitude Miguel demonstrates in his life and it encourages me tremendously. I just want to return the favor and encourage him and all of us to press on toward the goal! Way to go Miguel!