The British
missionary, Charles T. Studd, penned these lines of poetry:
Only one life,
‘twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
This poem reminds
me of a song that my mother, Mary Watts Bass, loved to sing. It is
entitled “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last.” The chorus goes something like this:
Remember only
what you do for Christ will last…
Remember only what you do for Christ will last…
Remember only what you do for Christ will last…
Only what you do
for Him will be counted at the end…
Only what you do for Christ will last!
Only what you do for Christ will last!
No matter where we
go, what we achieve, or how much we receive, everything is vain and empty in
the absence of fulfilling our mission of service in the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, we must maintain maximum alertness and diligence so as not to miss
God-given opportunities to share the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ.
The May 2001
edition of “National Geographic” recounts the story of Marco Polo’s
family. Mr. Polo is one of the most famous explorers in history, but most
people do not know that he inherited the travel bug from his father. In
1260, when Marco was just six-years-old, his father and uncle traveled to
Mongolia, part of modern-day China.
After they arrived,
the Mongolian emperor expressed interest in knowing more about Christianity. He asked the Polo brothers to take a letter to
the Pope petitioning 100 wise men to spread the gospel to his Asian subjects.
After three years
the brothers arrived home; two years later they set out on their return trek.
Instead of the requested group of 100 wise men, only two friars
accompanied them. This was all the church felt they could spare.
Even those two didn’t make it to Mongolia. They turned back home shortly
after the journey started.
What a
tragedy! What a missed opportunity! Imagine if the Kublai’s request
had been fulfilled. The whole history of
China might have been radically changed.
We must come to
grips with the brevity of this life and the enormity of our mission to impact
fallen humanity with the Living Word of God. (Psalm 90:12 – Matthew 28:19-20 –
Acts 1:8) Someone within your
personal sphere of influence needs to hear about Christ. Don’t delay;
don’t be afraid. The lyrics of a song composed by the late Andrae Crouch
musically constrain us:
Tell them…even if they don’t believe you…
Just tell them…even if don’t receive you…
Oh tell them for Me…please tell them for Me…
Tell them that I love them…and I came to let them know.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please
(above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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