Making yourself available to the Lord

A recently returned missionary gave a talk in church today. He related a story about one of the missionaries he worked with. This other missionary started out with a knowledge deficit, and less of a testimony than he would have wanted, but he had faith and a willingness to learn. In one of their conversations he had said:

“I don’t know what I’m doing out here. I’m just trying to make myself available to the Lord”.

I think some people would be critical of his being on a mission, but not me. I was impressed with his honesty and his desire to be of service. Though he didn’t have a lot of experience with spiritual things, he was ready to learn something, and he had put himself in the hands of the Lord to make that happen. He turned out to be a great missionary.

I think the Lord really does make up for our weaknesses if we are willing to align our will with His.

This was one of the hymns we sang today, and its message seems to go along with the talk. We may find ourselves in darkness in paths of our own choosing. But, if we will begin to ask Him for guidance, with childlike faith, we will find that He leads us:

Lead, Kindly Light
Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th’encircling gloom,

Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home,

Lead Thou me on!

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou

Shouldst lead me on;

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,

Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still

Will lead me on.

O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till

The night is gone,

And with the morn those angel faces smile,

Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,

Thyself hast trod,

Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,

Home to my God.

To rest forever after earthly strife

In the calm light of everlasting life.

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