Readings for today: Ezekiel 10-11, Hebrews 6, Psalms 105:16-36, Proverbs 27:1-2
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Proverbs 27:1)
We began interviewing the church planters here in Ethiopia yesterday. The stories they share are always inspiring. Miracles of healing. Miracles of resurrection. Miraculous deliverance from addiction and demonic possession. All to advance the cause of the gospel in an area that is 98% Muslim and hostile to Christianity. The thousands who have responded to God’s call and given their lives to Christ face tremendous persecution. They are cast out of their homes. They are driven from their families. They lose jobs. They are exiled from their community. Some are even killed for their faith.
One young woman is planting a church in the Harar region. Harar is the 4th holiest city in Islam. It is a beautiful place full of incredible history. But there is political unrest in the area. Over here, politics are always mixed with religious faith. Different tribes hold to different faiths. So the issues are complex and multivalent. There are riots and protests across the zone. Many have been injured or killed. Her congregation is afraid for their lives so they have fled the area. Only she remains. And she knows tomorrow is not guaranteed. Still she preaches Christ. Still she ministers to those who are hurting in her community. Still she prays for the salvation of those who seek her life.
What would you do if you knew there was no tomorrow? Many people I know would make a bucket list. They would take an exotic vacation. Do something they’ve never done before. They would scale Everest. Dive the Great Barrier Reef. Finally take the family to Hawaii. None of these are necessarily bad things but they are certainly not eternal things. The men and women we meet over here have given themselves fully over to God. He guides and directs their steps. Death is a constant companion. They see it all around them. They know there is no tomorrow. They know it is God who holds their lives in His hands.
Control is an illusion. We have no idea what tomorrow may bring. It may bring great glory or great tragedy. It may bring great success or great failure. It may bring new life or it may bring us face to face with death. We like to think we are in control. We make plans. We put money away. We work hard to retire early so we can live the “good life.” But we are meant for so much more! God designed us for eternity. He created us to bear His image and likeness to the world around us. He intends for us to make an eternal impact on those we love and live among. True fulfillment comes when we give everything over to God. All our time. All our treasure. All our talent. All our plans. All our best intentions. Even our future. Once give God control, we are set free. The things of this world no longer have a hold on us. The ways of this world no longer seem attractive to us. The kingdoms of this world no longer have any power over us.
What would you do if you knew there was no tomorrow? Would you spend your final hours sharing the gospel with everyone you can like the young woman I just met? Or would you spend those hours on yourself and those you love? Would you give those precious moments to temporary pleasure? Or would you leverage them for something eternal? The reality is tomorrow is never guaranteed. The only hope we have in this world or the next is Christ.
Readings for tomorrow: Ezekiel 12:1-14:11, Hebrews 7:1-17, Psalms 105:37-45, Proverbs 27:3