Thursday nights in June we have invited the leadership team of students over to our place for dinner and discussion of the book, The Fuel and The Flame. Nate and I received this book for free at one of our Edge Corps Summits and love it. Steve Shadrach has put together info from what seems like every Christian organization in one place- everything from the Navigators to Campus Crusade and in between. We gave the book as a thank you/parting gift to the lead team of this past year and next year. We figure since we cant be there next year, this is the next best thing:)
So Thursday was our first meeting- Jake, Josh, and Eric came over for dinner and then we began to discuss the book. We meant to go through a few chapters but only got through one. Oops- we will have to be a little better if we want to get through it all, but perhaps its better to be deeper anyways:)
Question 9 reads: "Are you able to pray the prayer that Luther Wishard (a student missionary) did in 1879: "Lord, I am willing to go anywhere at any time to do anything for Jesus"? Why or why not?"
What followed was an open and honest discussion from these young men about how they wanted to pray this prayer, but weren't sure they really could honestly. They love the Lord, but are they really willing to say- whatever you want God. Whatever that means. Wherever you want me to go. The chapter in the book told the stories of many student missionaries and how students of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century had done so much for God- giving up their dreams, hopes, and lives for the gospel to go forth. Are we willing to persevere over the long haul to do the same? The guys weren't sure they could honestly say they would be willing to give up families and jobs for the gospel to go forth, yet.
Now, I have NO doubt these men love the Lord. But its a hard question to ask yourself- a hard decision to make and really mean it. And these guys are serious guys- when they prayer something they want to mean it wholeheartedly which is so awesome. And I think they will be praying about praying this prayer in the future.
Now Nate and I had a different perspective on this question which was pretty special for us. We had both started reading this book in Jan and Feb and written down our answers to this question- I wrote:
"YES!! I have prayed it but I think I've settled- Help Nate and I to truly be open to whatever you have for us Lord!"
Nate wrote:
"yes, but its becoming more difficult as are becoming more "rooted""
Months before our move to PA, God was preparing our hearts to follow him, together. how awesome is that.
God is good and sovereign. And we are so thankful for his purpose in our lives, to not only move us to PA, but to be able to poor into guys from WPI.
Thank you for being in this with us:)
~Caroline
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