The
fact that Lottie Moon ever became a missionary is nothing short of miraculous. Although
she grew up in the South within close proximity to gospel preaching, she had already by a young age become turned off to the faith because of all the hypocrisy
and denominational disputes she had observed. With this in mind, she decided to
have nothing to do with Christianity or religion of any kind. Lottie would
carry this attitude with her all the way to college, regularly mocking and
poking fun at Christianity whenever she could. In fact, it was with ornery
intentions that Lottie entered a revival meeting one night, the very service
that would lead to her conversion.
Lottie
had decided to follow the rest of her classmates to hear the preaching of
Reverend John Broadus. However, unlike her peers, Lottie was only going because
it presented her with yet another occasion to taunt and tease her believing
friends. She sat toward the front of the chapel in eager anticipation. She was
ready to pick apart the sermon; she was looking forward to pointing out the
foolishness of her friends’ faith. Yet as she listened to the preacher expound
on the biblical text, something strange happened. She discovered that what
Reverend Broadus was sharing, actually made a lot of sense. Despite her hardness,
the gospel broke through. It softened and penetrated her heart.
Hoping
for more material that she could mock, Lottie was instead challenged to
consider the work of Christ on the cross. Though she initially tried to ignore
the implications of His atonement, she found them inescapable. After a long,
nearly sleepless night of pondering the message she had heard, Lottie awoke the
next day and surrendered her life to Jesus. Though in her going to that bible
study she meant it for bad, God meant it for good. Despite her rebellion, she
couldn’t outrun her Savior. The gospel gripped her soul and she was forever
changed.
Lottie
would spend the last half of her life in China, testifying of the Jesus that
saved her. It was hard work that was not immediately accompanied with fruit.
The good news she shared was met with resistance, yet Lottie persevered and
continued to be a witness of God’s love. Perhaps it was the memory of her own
story that helped her remain faithful through the years. Maybe the
encouragement that came to Lottie as she reminisced upon God’s grace should visit
us as well.
The same
God that chased down Lottie and sent her as a missionary to the Chinese still pursues
the affections of His beloved today. It matters not how much we’ve messed up,
how many times we’ve blown it, nor how long we’ve rebelled against Him. God’s
grace covers it all; it is entirely sufficient for us! Perhaps there is an
individual that is heavy on your heart this season; maybe there is an unreached
people group that you’ve been praying for. We can rest in the knowledge that
God is good, and though many reject and deny Him at first and hundredth chance,
He continues to woo and engage. He sends experiences, conversations, sometimes
even missionaries our way, all to make Him Name known. Not one of His elect
shall be lost. There is no hiding from Him. One can flee hard as he might, but
there is no outrunning God’s love; there is no way to outsin His grace and
mercy.
And
this is the primary goal of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – that those who
are far from Christ may be brought near. That people of every tongue, tribe, and
nation may come to know the God of the gospel. Those at the uttermost parts of
the earth may come to worship this One who so graciously interrupts our plans
for the glory of His name. No matter how dire things seem, may we remain
faithful in our prayers and in boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus, knowing
that in our own strength the task before us will always be too great, but with
God, all things are possible. Like Lottie Moon, the Apostle Paul, and the
writer of this blog, those who appear most unlikely to respond to the good news
of Christ, may one day become the blessed feet that carry His gospel forward. Oh Father, for Your glory, make it so…
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| Matt Fowler Associate Pastor of Missions & Students matt@nbchurch.info @fattmowler |
Bibliography:
Benge, Janet and Geoff. Lottie Moon: Giving Her All for China. Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 2001.
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