Perspective - Fall 2003
Glimpses of Glory
by Jim Murray - CMI Executive Director
The other day my wife Ginny and I
were enjoying a visit with some friends from
Indiana. We had just finished breakfast together
when our conversation inevitably turned to matters
related to ministry. As we were sharing, I began to
tell them about the testimony of a Ecuadorian couple
that we met on our most recent trip to Quito.
The husband is a very influential
man who was once one of the most senior leaders in
the Ecuadorian government. As I related their
testimony to our friends that morning, the story
touched me in a new way. My eyes watered, my voice
choked and tears began to form. God’s grace poured
from the pages. I was again in awe of His work of
salvation.
What caused such a response? The
story was one that clearly revealed the greatness of
God. But more than that, it was an important
reminder. You see, the preceding week was one of
those weeks in ministry that tested perseverance and
patience. By Friday, I was tired – physically,
mentally and emotionally.
Sharing this salvation story again
brought refreshment to me. Through it, the Lord
gently reminded me that people like these are the
reason why we do what we do. Hardships, trials and
even mundane tasks like replying to email, are
filled with glorious purpose in light of the gospel
we proclaim and the Lord we serve.
Sometimes in the midst of such
circumstances it is easy to forget such things and
get caught up merely in the moment.
I think that mindset is what the
Apostle Paul was addressing when he wrote his final
letter to Timothy. “…endure hardship,” he wrote, “do
the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties
of your ministry.”
But Paul then goes on to raise
Timothy’s eyes from the present challenges to the
glorious reward – a reward that Paul knew he was
about to experience soon. “For I am already being
poured out like a drink offering, and the time has
come for my departure. I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to
me on that day – not only to me, but also to all who
have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:5-8, NIV)
Though for us that ultimate reward
is still in the future, we must continue to set our
sights on it if we are to find purpose and meaning
in the challenges and labors of this life. Along the
way, God provides glimpses of this ultimate glory
through the faces and stories of those touched by
our labors for Christ.
The testimonies I hear time and
again provide glimpses like that for me. And as I
consider them, I am even more encouraged by the
thought that stories I hear are only a small
fraction of those that are being impacted by the
power of the gospel carried forth through our humble
efforts.
And whether we are missionaries in
the field, support staff at home or faithful givers
that equip and sustain, we all share in these
victories and we can all rejoice for the part that
the Lord enables us to share in them. One day in
eternity we may see the full scope of how God has
used us, but until that day let us celebrate the
stories that we do see – these glimpses of glory -
knowing that they are only a tiny portion of the
greater harvest that God is reaping!
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