If you have kept up with my blog over the last year or so, you'll notice a pattern. I won't blog for a month or more, then I'll post several posts at once. Well, what often happens is I'll have something on my heart to write and for one reason or another I never post it. And it's not until I realize it's been a really long time since I've blogged that I realize I was supposed to post what was on my heart a month ago. So I do that and usually several more things will just flow out. So, that explains why this is my third post this morning. Perhaps it will be a bit shorter than the previous two. Perhaps...
First of all, I've been working at the Appalachian Outfitters tubing on the Chestatee River this summer, and though Memorial Day weekend was quite busy, the following week was super quiet. So, in the past three days I've read half a book just while I was at work (and that's quite an accomplishment for me, I'm a slow reader and I get bored easily).
The book is called The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun. I read it a couple of years ago, and let me tell you it is SO good. It is an autobiography by and about the life of a Chinese Christian who has preached the gospel throughout China, was a leader in the Chinese house churches, was persecuted greatly by the Chinese government, and spent years in prison for his faith. I highly, highly encourage you to buy it. But let me warn you, it will rock your world.
As I was reading it at work yesterday, I contemplated the devotion to Christ that is evident in the life of Brother Yun. And not just in that he never denied Christ in the face of persecution. One thing that I remember being huge to me the first time I read this book was when Brother Yun was only sixteen years old, when he had just come to know the Lord, he wanted to know more about Jesus and he knew Jesus' teachings were recorded in the Bible. So, he fasted and prayed and asked the Lord for a Bible. He says:
"I went home, and every morning and afternoon I ate and drank nothing. Every evening I ate just one small bowl of steamed rice. I cried like a hungry child to his heavenly Father, wanting to be filled with His Word. For the next one hundred days I prayed for a Bible..."
On the hundredth day, the Lord miraculously provided him a Bible. And so I feel that I can no longer in good conscience ask why I've seen so few miracles. It has become clear to me that I do not have the dedication or devotion that this dear brother had even at sixteen years old. I am grieved by this. I know that there is no condemnation. I can honestly say that I know that I am loved by my God. He accepts me and adores me and delights in me because I am His daughter. But I desire to be useful to Him, to be one used to advance His kingdom on this earth. May He increase my capacity and increase my devotion to Him. And may my devotion to Christ be from a place of loving Him with my whole heart.
First of all, I've been working at the Appalachian Outfitters tubing on the Chestatee River this summer, and though Memorial Day weekend was quite busy, the following week was super quiet. So, in the past three days I've read half a book just while I was at work (and that's quite an accomplishment for me, I'm a slow reader and I get bored easily).
The book is called The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun. I read it a couple of years ago, and let me tell you it is SO good. It is an autobiography by and about the life of a Chinese Christian who has preached the gospel throughout China, was a leader in the Chinese house churches, was persecuted greatly by the Chinese government, and spent years in prison for his faith. I highly, highly encourage you to buy it. But let me warn you, it will rock your world.
As I was reading it at work yesterday, I contemplated the devotion to Christ that is evident in the life of Brother Yun. And not just in that he never denied Christ in the face of persecution. One thing that I remember being huge to me the first time I read this book was when Brother Yun was only sixteen years old, when he had just come to know the Lord, he wanted to know more about Jesus and he knew Jesus' teachings were recorded in the Bible. So, he fasted and prayed and asked the Lord for a Bible. He says:
"I went home, and every morning and afternoon I ate and drank nothing. Every evening I ate just one small bowl of steamed rice. I cried like a hungry child to his heavenly Father, wanting to be filled with His Word. For the next one hundred days I prayed for a Bible..."
On the hundredth day, the Lord miraculously provided him a Bible. And so I feel that I can no longer in good conscience ask why I've seen so few miracles. It has become clear to me that I do not have the dedication or devotion that this dear brother had even at sixteen years old. I am grieved by this. I know that there is no condemnation. I can honestly say that I know that I am loved by my God. He accepts me and adores me and delights in me because I am His daughter. But I desire to be useful to Him, to be one used to advance His kingdom on this earth. May He increase my capacity and increase my devotion to Him. And may my devotion to Christ be from a place of loving Him with my whole heart.
Amen amen amen!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this encouragement, admonishment, and faithfulness in Christ to post this.