Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: INDEFATIGABLE (02/11/16)
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TITLE: Focus on the Goal | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Enqvist
02/16/16 -
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What is the driving force in Sam’s life?
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Paul Sandegren from Sweden was 80 years old when I first met him in India. He was born into a Swedish-German missionary family in India. He studied Theology in Sweden and served in the Lutheran church several years. His wife died of cancer five years after they married. He returned to India and spent the rest of his life there. He was well over 90 when he reached his goal.
Paul preferred walking or traveling by bus to traveling by private cars. He never owned a car. He said he met more people that way. Whenever he arrived at a village, he sat down under a tree to rest. Soon he was surrounded by curious children. He began telling them stories from the Bible, adapted to familiar situations in their lives. Adults came to listen too. This way he won the hearts of countless thousands for Christ from among the casteless poor.
Paul Sandegren had a goal, just like Apostle Paul. “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:1-3 (NIV)
My Mother faced enormous challenges as a missionary mother with five kids. My reflections about her life can partly be summed up with these words:
"When trouble strikes, not once, not twice, but over and over, it seems that there is no strength left to live, to face another day. Then the notes of a song, or the whisper of words heard long ago, give that extra bit of strength for that moment, and the next, and the next. Who sends that song, who whispers those words? Who is there with you, even though you most often are quite unaware of anyone being there? How many of us will admit to losing our strength, our focus, our way? We struggle along, trying over and over again just to get through another problem, another duty, another loss, another day.
There are people around us who daily go through seemingly unbearable situations. They have insurmountable problems and have gone through terrible losses. How do they get through each day? Is there a secret? Is there a song? Is there a whisper in their darkness?"
Many can’t hear the song; they are deaf to that whisper, so they give up. Writing my mother’s story is an attempt to send out a melody, or a whisper of hope, for those who face multiple problems. If she received strength, maybe there is hope for me.
Her source of stability was in God’s Word: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3
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