The single best investment a person can make is in Jesus, both in time spent with Him and in financing His work. The second-best investment is in the lives of others. And the return on these investments is incredible: lives beginning to change now and continuing to transform into His likeness throughout eternity.
Without spending time in God’s word and in prayer, missionaries would face a spiritual deficit each day, void of the Spirit who is crucial to reaching the unreached through friendship evangelism, Bible studies and spiritual warfare. Yet, even after prayer, as Diana Vasile points out, the tendency to take back control and try to solve the issue can come quickly, perhaps unconsciously, causing one to miss out on the richer blessings that can come through waiting upon God (p. 6).
The Aydins are starting to taste that richer blessing. After two-and-a-half years of praying to have neighbors, a family has moved in across the hall. While the families are fast becoming friends, the Aydins continue praying . . . to be soon able to share the gospel with them (p. 9).
When it comes to investing in others, the Alemans have been inviting local ladies to their house on the Sabbath, giving them a taste of what it is like for families to enjoy time together and with God, and providing a safe place to talk about things that matter to their friends (p. 46).
Investing in others does not always involve grand gestures or sacrifices. Aaron Jonas handed out a business card that asked, “Have you seen Jesus in a dream?” bringing an instant smile and renewed hope to a restaurant owner in a Muslim country (p. 42). Nor does it necessarily mean witnessing to a large crowd. As Elisha Joy points out, Jesus generally practiced and encouraged investment in the one—the one person, the one family (p. 31).
And remember patience, that fruit of the Spirit. Whether praying for, studying with, or investing your time in others as a friend, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you, too, may eventually hear, “I finally have peace. Thank you for not giving up on me” (Machu, p. 17).
Thank you for blessing our missionaries and the unreached through investing your prayers and financial resources.
