From the Editor
Early this year, our comfortable American lives were once again reminded of the suffering of many of the world’s poorest people, when a massive earthquake shook the impoverished nation of Haiti to its core. Pictures quickly surfaced of a devastation and suffering that make our biggest problems seem like absolutely nothing. This crisis made me ponder how insulated my life is from helping such people.
Fortunately, from the sound of it, the initial response from the world was impressive. Aid groups from around the world descended upon this tiny country in record time. Now, however, that support is greatly diminishing. The world is sometimes pretty good with a quick response, but lacks the longsuffering that comes from an inner strength and calling. I read a good devotional that a brother sent me via e-mail, which was taken from Consider Jesus and Other Brief Devotionals by Vance Havner. I thought it would be fitting to share it here:
The Middle Mile
“For consider him ... lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” He. 12:3
The hardest part of the journey is neither the start nor the finish, but the middle mile. There is the enthusiasm of a new undertaking that buoys you at the beginning and there is the thrill of reaching the goal that carries you down the home stretch; but it is the middle mile—when you are a long way from the start and home is still distant—that tests the mettle of the traveler.
On the middle mile of faith’s pilgrimage, the believer needs most the grace of “patient continuance.” Ro. 2:7 The soul can summon unusual strength for great sorrows and extra power for mighty deeds better than it can master the commonplace and the day-by-day. When the body is sluggish, the mind in a haze, and the spirit stupid, when “a sense of things real comes doubly strong”—when the Bible seems dull and we cannot pray with a tongue that cleaves to the roof of the mouth—let us consider Him or we will be weary and faint in our minds.
No one will know how much was wrapped in Paul’s phrase “in weariness.” 2 Co. 11:27 The dangers of fierce battle are preferable to the humdrum of the trenches. There are days when we fly and days when we run, but most days we walk. And the only way out is to “wait upon the Lord” and “consider Him” that we may “walk and not faint.”
In this issue, our Seed Sower Award goes to a little group of people that responded to the need in Haiti. Their willingness to give their time and resources to these hurting people blessed us. This is just what we are looking for in the Seed Sower Award—a group of people who become inspired with an idea from God, and then put it into practice. Let’s continue to allow God to inspire our hearts to greater service and devotion!
On the home front—at this moment—in literally minutes, I will be heading to Berne, Indiana for the Men’s Leadership Seminar. It is always such a blessing to take a time out like this to take an inventory of my spiritual condition. It is also so encouraging to meet with the brethren.
May the Lord encourage your zeal for ministering to Jesus in the needs around us as you read this issue of The Heartbeat of the Remnant!
~Bro. Dean
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