While
Lottie Moon is somewhat of a household name, Edmonia Moon is not. Many are aware
of Lottie’s missionary work in China, yet few know that Edmonia was part
of the same effort. When Lottie left the states to become a missionary, she was
following her little sister Edmonia who had gone to China about a year earlier.
This was an important connection for Lottie; Edmonia played a significant part
in motivating her sister to find her place in the mission field.
Though
Edmonia’s time in China was cut short on account of sickness and her deteriorating
health, she fulfilled a vital role. She corresponded with Lottie back home via
letters. She described the ministry she was involved with, the need for more
workers, and ultimately, she encouraged her sister to partner with her.
Edmonia’s obedience to trust the Lord’s calling to China paved the way for her
big sister to follow. There is no Christmas offering taken up in the name of
Edmonia, but her faithfulness was priceless for the kingdom.
In fact
there are similarities to Edmonia and the disciple Andrew. Andrew was Simon
Peter’s lesser-known brother. Though we all know about the quick to speak, slow
to understand Peter, very little is mentioned in Scripture about Andrew. Yet in
the first chapter of John, one can read of Andrew doing the work of an
evangelist. He discovered that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Upon hearing
this great news, he went and told his brother Pete immediately. Andrew then
brought him to Jesus (John 1:35-42)… And as Paul Harvey might say, “now you know the rest of the story.”
From
that point on, the Gospels and Acts, even some of the epistles, frequently
reference the words and actions of the fisherman turned Apostle Peter, but
Andrew, in Edmonia-like fashion, remains in the background. Scripture is relatively
silent about Andrew. However, it is quite clear through what the Bible does say
in the early part of John's Gospel, that Andrew’s obedience in evangelism was an
instrumental part of God’s bigger story. Can you imagine reading about Jesus
and the disciples without hearing the interesting stories of our homeboy Simon?
Surely God gave us that dude so that all might find some form of encouragement.
More
importantly though, are you okay with playing the role of an Edmonia or Andrew?
If your name doesn’t get much press and a foreign missionary board fails to
take up an annual offering to honor your legacy, are you still up for serving?
Are you up for the challenge of possibly being remembered, perhaps even easily
forgotten, as one that was entirely insignificant? Seems strange that this query
need be asked, but my depraved heart has proven its necessity. Am I doing this ministry
gig for man’s commendation or to one day hear “well done” from my Heavenly Father?
Our
obedience may lead to someone else’s recognition, but so be it. Faithfulness to
Christ will ultimately lead to the glory of His Name. The background may be our
place in life; indeed, it is the position we each should seek. Andrew and
Edmonia were oblivious to the ramifications of their roles, but God was not.
Friend, is there any way of knowing the exact eternal value of the small part
we will play? You may be raising the next Charles Spurgeon right now. Yes, this
morning you might have whipped-up breakfast for the John Piper of Generation Z.
You may be next-door neighbor to a future Adoniram Judson or Hudson Taylor. The
guy in the cubicle across from you or the lady in the office down the hall has
an untold potential in Christ. Oh may that potential be made known and might it
come about through our faithfulness to Jesus – the only Sovereign, the Lord of
lords, the King of kings, the Famous One, who is and forever shall be the Name above
every name.
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| Matt Fowler Associate Pastor of Missions & Students matt@nbchurch.info @fattmowler |
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