A few members of the Africa Interior Missions.
To the Africa Interior Missions Group:
Greetings and good afternoon to you all. I understand that today is the birthday of one of your august members and on such a noteworthy occasion I am very pleased to be able to pen this letter to your board of directors.
First of all, I want to encourage you in your very worthy goal of bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Africa and more specifically to the Congo. Combining the aforementioned aim with scientific discovery is also a wonderful idea.
In our day there are very few young men who are willing to think and act on things of a serious nature. What you are seeking to do is a very noble task. In the book of II Timothy, Paul states that we are not to let youth be an impediment to taking on large and somewhat daunting tasks. And so I would encourage you in a similar way that just because you are young, does not mean that you can not try to accomplish great things.
As a young man, one of the gifts God has given you is strength and energy to see mighty things done. These are wonderful gifts and you must use them well. However, in your zeal to do good you must also remember to temper your energy with respect and honor toward those in authority over you. God has placed these authorities above you to guide you and keep you on the right path. He promises that those who’s lives are characterized by honor will be blessed with long life and good days. This principle is one that you must not forget, not only now, but also in years to come. God is not slack in rewarding those who obey his laws.
I would also exhort you to make it your daily habit to read the scriptures. As you continue to become a man, you will not be fully equipped to meet the daily challenges that come your way without a thorough understanding of God’s word. Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. From this passage and others we see that without the Bible to guide us, all our actions will be confused. This is why we must know Gods word.
In closing I would leave you with a quote from a man who has shaped my thinking about life.
“I wish to preach not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach the highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph.” - Teddy RooseveltMay God continue to give you the strength to live the strenuous life for his glory,
Your Friend and Brother,
Nathan Serven
2 comments:
Well, time is short...there are only eight years before departure....what will become of these dreams and hopes in the next eight years? I'll wager that, in the company they keep, there will be much to nurture and further them...and others to come and join them. This is SOME "vision casting". Now, how long was it between the time the pilgrims determined to leave England for the New World and their arrival in November 1620? And what has come of THEIR adventure? Despise not small beginnings. A seed planted.....wonderful stuff, this.
Mr. Jesch,
It is exciting to see the boyhood dreams of these young men. Even if they are not completely fulfilled in the manner which they see them now, I'm sure the vision of evangelism and adventure will be a blessing to them as they grow.
In Christ,
Rebecca
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