A Nice Trip

I was privileged to be part of the team that recently travelled to a mission field in Dukawa Land (a remote area of Niger State, Nigeria) for the commissioning of the classrooms Christ Lifeline built for the missionary school in the village. I will forever be grateful to God for that trip because it opened my eyes to see and my mind to understand why many Christians live an ordinary life and die as one; why many keep pursuing worldly things and never attain or find fulfilment in them.

It’s the kind of trip I sincerely wish you would undergo next week or sometime soon because it will definitely have a lasting positive impact on your life. For instance, do you know that there are many remote areas where the gospel has not reached? Do you know there are some tribes in Nigeria that doesn’t wear clothes till today? May be I also have to let you know that there are missionaries (very few though) who search out and locate some of these ‘unreached’ areas and commit their lives to preaching the gospel to them. They have to live among them, learn their language and culture, eat their food, drink their water, etc. No electricity, no treated water or any social amenity. They chose to deny themselves of the pleasures of this world for their love for the Master. Some went along with their families; some were rejected by their immediate family because of their decision to work for the Lord. Some refused/could not get married because of their commitment to the work. All these are what my eyes saw at the trip. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you that these missionaries do not receive salaries like some of our pastors in the city do. They depend on the faithful God to supply all their needs!

I also saw people who are living in abject poverty, idolatry, sufferings and without Christ (to live without Christ is to live without hope). I saw children looking malnourished, women being treated like slaves and men living miserable lives. They all need salvation, love, and health care. In fact, I am advising you use your next vacation to go to a mission field, visit a rural area and I can assure you that life will make a new meaning to you.

We have a collective responsibility to reach out to unbelievers around us and also support those reaching the ‘unreached’ areas. We should support the missionaries on the fields spiritually and financially (Colossians 4:3). Always remember them in your prayers. Always support them with your money and other resources. If we do not take these things into cognisance, our lives may not be far from the ordinary.

The primary reason you are here is not to make money, build business empires, get married, raise children, do whatever you like and eventually die. Life is far more than all of that. Life is all about God, you are living for Him because He gave you that life in the first instance. When you realise that the reason you are still alive is to do the work of God, then you will be able and willing to do it with joy and will never again give excuses about your work, family, or business. You will then begin to experience steady peace, overflowing joy and a fulfilled life.

Spend your life on what really counts at the end of the day. Partner with the Lord in His work.

– segun eshorun