Shuffling Papers

For those who are laboring to pour foundations...

 “Only Missions can redeem your intercessions from insincerity." William Carey.

What a wonderful quote. However, I’m going to have to change it in order to make a point for you.  Only action can redeem your intercessions from insincerity. Whereas some prefer to remain in an inactive but ever-fervent mindset of good intentions, you have donned the apparel of a true intercessor - we’ll call them work clothes - and become a territorial threat to the enemy.

How inconvenient you are! How outwardly deceptive is this work you do! If only you would perform the tasks which require less preparation, you could rejoice in your small victory, and set this larger goal out of your mind. What do you think to do - change the world? These shuffling papers will never amount to transformed lives; why not avoid the hassle and quit now? (It would save me the trouble of trying to harass you.) Perhaps you have discovered what the enemy has known all along. It is not the “flashy’ Christians who are most threatening; those who burst upon the stage of your life for a fleeting moment of  brilliant inspiration, and then fade into the shadows of distant memories. No, those interruptions may have impact, but they are only faint sparks in comparison to the dynamite you are packing.

No, you are much more threatening. You are sneaky, the ultimate decoy in a covert operation. If you understood the value of your hours of preparation, your joy could possibly raise suspicion at what is actually going on. Imagine with me, if you will, someone sneaking into the enemy’s territory - with a candle. They quietly gather a group around them, light the candle, and then sit and marvel at how the flickering light plays across the room, illuminating faces as the wax slowly melts away.

Now imagine with me, if you will, another person. This person trudges into the same territory night after night, with never an indication as to the true nature of his visit. Quietly, faithfully, night after night, month after month, he hoards supplies and equipment and diligently prepares for the day when his work will be made visible. What is he doing? Bringing ELECTRICITY into that village, of course. Hello! A lasting work requires a substantial investment. Not everyone has the ability or desire to make such an investment. But YOU are that kind of person.