“You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God's right side. Think about what is up there, not about what is here on earth.” Colossians 3:1,2 CEV
Not too long ago, I had the privilege of serving refreshments at the celebration of a 60th wedding anniversary. It was held at a church and was a fairly large gathering honoring this very unique couple. Not only was this special couple being honored for 60 years of marriage, but also gratefully being thanked for over 60 years of serving the Lord in mission fields around the world. From the testimonies shared by various members of the audience, many were grateful for the influence this couple had had in their lives.
Having met in Bible college, they married with missions in their hearts. For the short-term, they took on the pastorate of a tiny local church and earned $100 a month. Their growth as a married couple and in their walk with the Lord included some wonderfully amusing stories with a great tale of a young husband who, not willing to admit his mistake, ended up stuck down a well while trying to retrieve a water bucket. He did all types of work including logging (among other jobs) to earn a living while pastoring, and she made a home, in spite of no running water, and so many of the amenities we now believe we can’t live without.
After joining Wycliffe Bible Translators to begin work on translation of the Gospel for tribes who had no written language, they started work to create an alphabet and thus, a translated Gospel. Their goal was to share Jesus Christ with those who had never heard His Name and did not know the story of His great sacrifice for them. Looking ahead to the long-term, they worked with Wycliffe for more than 50 years. At the time of this celebration, that small tribe’s language had just gone online—what an incredible accomplishment! It spoke volumes of the long-term vision and commitment this couple shared for the Kingdom.
Their goal of the mission field required preparation, which included language school, jungle camp, and other training. Finally they landed in a small town in Guatemala where their adventures included raising a baby deer and trusting completely in God to deal with a deadly epidemic that caused the deaths of many but for which they had medicine for only themselves. When faced with the decision to keep it for their personal safety or to give that medicine to someone who was desperately ill, they trusted God and—without hesitation—gave it away. Again and again, God miraculously met them as their faith grew in Him. He stretched them with hard work, the opening of new doors, and bigger steps all along the way.
Throughout the celebrations, others came to the podium to share their stories of how this loving couple had touched their lives in various ways. In fact, my own life had been touched even before I was born, for they had been the pastors of the church where my birth father had attended as a teenager. They had led my adopted father to the Lord, and because they had adopted two children, had been inspirational to my adoptive parents in their own adoptive journey which later included nine children.
In the short-term, they had served God in the pastorate as they prepared for their long-term vision—that of the mission field and sharing the Gospel with the tribes of the world with no written language to read His Words of love. The afternoon seemed to go much too fast as one after another stepped to the front to talk. However, the thing struck me most and brought tears to my eyes was that their entire lives have been devoted to the “eternal-term.”
They were never devoted to the short-term gathering of things to make them more comfortable here on earth or the long-term accumulation of glory or riches to assure that their golden years were the reward that many think should be the reward for a lifetime of hard work. When I meditated on how they have lived, what they have sacrificed, and what they have given, all that I can see is that they focused on the “eternal-term.” Their love for their Lord, their humble hearts and gentle spirits teach me and touch me deeply.
There are countless numbers of us who have been touched by their ministry, mission and love. Now into their 80’s, many thousands, perhaps millions, will greet them when they walk the streets of gold. I can almost see the angels greeting them with high-fives! The heavenly choirs will shout praises to the King, and He will greet them with, “Well done, My good and faithful servants.” It is a great honor to know these dear people, and they are a wondrous example for my own life for I am encouraged to change my vision and goals to the “eternal-term.”
Have we taken time to review our lives? How does the short-term look? When things are shaken out and settled, what columns do our lives settle into? Are we gathering up possessions? Are we making sure our homes, cars, lives, and everything around us are super-cushy plus squeezing out a few dollars here and there for church?
What about long-term? How big is that retirement account? Are all of our stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in order? What kind of provision have we made for our children, grandchildren, our health, good or bad, taking care of the dog and cat? Are our wills ready so nine-tenths of it goes to family and a meager tenth goes to God’s work?
Finally, and most important, what about the eternal-term? How have we lived our lives for the eternal-term? Have we invested ourselves, our hearts, our dreams, our everything in the eternal? What are we doing to reach out for the souls for the kingdom? Can we look into the eyes of those around us and see their need for Him? I wonder sometimes when we will stop seeing “others” and simply see that all of us need Him—every moment, every breath, and every soul— for the eternal-term.
Copyright 2006 by Desiree L.M. Pheister
Desirée L.M. Pheister is a wife, mother, and grandmother. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, needlework, and finding ways to bless others. You may reach her at: marrion8955@yahoo.com
