Reflections on God's Smuggler
Man, it's been forever since my last blog! And so much has happened since then. I'm going to try to stay more consistent with my blogs from now on as well as share more about what's going on in my life. So with that, I'd like to say...God is so good! Over the last month I've been through some ups and downs but He is still amazing! He continues to allow me to enjoy His grace and continues to grow me in my relationship with Him. My winter break was filled with those as I got to spend time with God, relax from school, hang out with people, and spend time with my best friend. Earlier today, I got back from a Young Life area leader weekend and man, that was such a blessing. It was cool to just get away from my regular routine and fellowship with some great people. I'm so thankful to be able to serve the Lord in this way and with these people. That's all I have to say about the long 44 days in which I did not blog. Let's get started.
After about a month of reading, I finally finished a book called God's Smuggler a few days ago. It's about a man called Brother Andrew who serves as an undercover missionary behind the Iron Curtain. I was amazed at how God was able to work in and through this man. He truly trusted God and completely relied on Him in what He did in His ministry. Reading this gave me a better understanding on how to trust God. God provided for Brother Andrew everything He needed to do His work from money to people to allowing Him to go into those communist countries. He wasn't a very rich man but he was still successful. It just reminded me how much I don't need to be successful in the eyes of the world or live a luxurious or comfortable lifestyle. All I need to do is trust in God because He will provide for me what I need, He will lead me to where He wants me, and my satisfaction should be in Him alone. "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment" (1 Timothy 6:6).
We are so blessed to be living the lives we live. Sometimes, I want certain things but realize I don't really need it. I have so much compared to many people. In the book, there were churches who didn't have Bibles and I have three of my own! There are people out there who need just a fraction of what we have or want. It's easy to ignore this but everyone is God's child. "'The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’" (Matthew 25:40). We serve God when we serve these people. I don't want to spend my life in my little sphere, being comfortable all the time. Brother Andrew's career consisted of constant traveling and serving. I want to be available and willing to serve more because there are people who need to experience God's love. "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'" (Isaiah 6:8). I want my attitude to be more like that.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
After about a month of reading, I finally finished a book called God's Smuggler a few days ago. It's about a man called Brother Andrew who serves as an undercover missionary behind the Iron Curtain. I was amazed at how God was able to work in and through this man. He truly trusted God and completely relied on Him in what He did in His ministry. Reading this gave me a better understanding on how to trust God. God provided for Brother Andrew everything He needed to do His work from money to people to allowing Him to go into those communist countries. He wasn't a very rich man but he was still successful. It just reminded me how much I don't need to be successful in the eyes of the world or live a luxurious or comfortable lifestyle. All I need to do is trust in God because He will provide for me what I need, He will lead me to where He wants me, and my satisfaction should be in Him alone. "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment" (1 Timothy 6:6).
We are so blessed to be living the lives we live. Sometimes, I want certain things but realize I don't really need it. I have so much compared to many people. In the book, there were churches who didn't have Bibles and I have three of my own! There are people out there who need just a fraction of what we have or want. It's easy to ignore this but everyone is God's child. "'The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’" (Matthew 25:40). We serve God when we serve these people. I don't want to spend my life in my little sphere, being comfortable all the time. Brother Andrew's career consisted of constant traveling and serving. I want to be available and willing to serve more because there are people who need to experience God's love. "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'" (Isaiah 6:8). I want my attitude to be more like that.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
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