Randy and Leslie Riley, home folks from Second, recently had to be away from their field of service temporarily for an important meeting. Their thoughts about leaving things in God's hands blessed me. Enjoy.
Guest blog post from Randy and Leslie Riley.
It is quite important that we realize the work does not stop because we are gone. In 1937, all twenty-six missionaries were forced to leave Ethiopia after the Italian army advanced in to tribal areas. With promises of persistent prayer, they left behind their work of eleven years - forty-eight believers. The Italians were merciless and many of the believers were beaten and killed for their faith. Six years later the M's were able to return to the tribes in Ethiopia, uncertain of what they would find. Amazingly, the forty-eight had become eighteen thousand.
I am reminded that we do not 'do' this thing. Father is in complete control, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (PH 2:13).
This may be applied to your local church as well. You can strategize all you want and work as hard as you are able, but the most important part- a healthy, dependent relationship with the Father that is nurtured through prayer and Bible reading. This is what gives us strength, focus and unity. And this unity is one proof of our faith to a world seeking the truth.
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