SHANGHAI BOUND-
MERRY MONDAY BY PARRIS BAILEY
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.” 1 Cor. 3:7
Tomorrow (when you read this it will be today) Frank and I jump on a plane and head out to Shanghai, China. I usually don’t like to mention our trips but we covet your prayers. Being the pastors of Victory Fellowship these many years, we have been able to travel the world bringing Christ and encouragement to many or should I say they to us. But of all places left to visit was China.
China 40 years ago was on our radar at our Bible School. After reading missionary biographies like Hudson Taylor and Jonathan Goforth we had our hearts set on China when we graduated. Four years later we did graduate but we felt led to go down to New Orleans to help a failing work. We figured we needed to get “hands on” experience before we “set out” for China. Forty years later we find ourselves still in Nola getting that “hands on” experience. We have had the pleasure of sending out many to the foreign fields and cities. The funny thing is we are now finally “bound for Shanghai”. We will have the honor of being with our missionaries, Jamie and Christina Weidner who have labored there now for many years. The doors have opened for them to operate a healing home for orphaned babies, a elementary school and yes a church. Did our dream some forty years ago have a part to play in their lives? I believe God puts people together with like vision. Paul had the right thought when he called himself a wise masterbuilder and others build upon it. I am also quite certain that Hudson Taylor, with the China Inland MIssion, and Goforth paid a huge price for people like Jamie and Christina to come and work.
Goforth said, “All the resources of the Godhead are at our disposal!” And when Hudson at last hit the wall from the overload of pressure in China he said, “I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.”
I pray when you wake up to Monday that it is indeed Merry. Unexpected adventure awaits for all of us. Tap into the resources of God and let him carry you throughout your day. You just might run right smack into the will of God.
和平与你同在 Hépíng yǔ nǐ tóng zài-(peace be with you” in Chinese)