Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [88]
“We’re so pleased to have Reverend Gideon Coleman with us today. Reverend Coleman’s a missionary to Chile, a man of God who’s made tremendous sacrifices to reach the indigent peoples of the remote desert region,” President Williams began. “He’s been there—how many years is it now? Thirty-two? Is that right?” He turned around to acknowledge Reverend Coleman’s humble affirmation. “He has amazing stories to share, so prepare to be blessed. Now, before Reverend Coleman comes, let’s pray together, shall we?”
Listening to more disguised moans and sighs from the students around her, Michal wondered if the speaker had already lost his audience. Won’t keep him from preaching, she thought, grinning to herself.
“Please turn to Matthew twenty-eight, verses eighteen through twenty.”
At she opened her Bible, Michal had to remind herself not to shake her head yet again. Couldn’t he come up with something original? The Great Commission?
“I know … I know. Every missionary uses this passage, right?” Coleman asked. “Well, after we read this we’re going to focus on just one important word. Then I’ll list some principles you’ll need to jot down in a notebook. Follow along with me now. ‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”’
“The word we’re going to look at this morning? The word go. A small word, but it carries a big meaning: It’s in present progressive tense. Grammarians will understand that means the word go should actually be translated as going. Because it assumes we’ll all be doing this in our daily lives.
“But this is what I want to focus on today, young people. You are the missionaries for your generation. Behind the assumption of you going are these imperatives. Number one: If you feel a call on your heart to go, then you must put that first. Above everything else. Above current relationships, and above potential relationships.”
Coleman constantly shifted his gaze all around the auditorium, attempting to meet as many students eye to eye as he could.
“You should not marry someone who isn’t feeling the same call to missions that you are—that’s a potential to be unequally yoked. And you shouldn’t be dating someone who doesn’t have the same call as you either. Young people, hear me on this important point: It’s God’s will to break off any relationship unless both of you agree you’ll go wherever God sends you.”
There was noticeably more movement around Michal. She could hear students shifting in their seats, either slumping further or sitting up straighter; notebooks were furiously written in or pointedly closed. She caught sighs, grunts, and whispers that all seemed to announce, “I’m reacting to this. Whether positively or negatively, I definitely have an opinion.”
“Secondly, I’m hearing a frightening new demand from young couples. It goes something like this: ‘We won’t go anywhere we can’t keep our children with us, from newborn up through high school years.’ Suddenly boarding schools have become the enemy—Christian boarding schools that have been in existence for decades and have proven track records of putting out well-adjusted and intellectually prepared graduates.
“Turn to Matthew ten, will you? Verses thirty-seven through thirty-eight.” He snatched a pair of wire-rimmed reading glasses from his pocket and placed them on his nose. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” He put down his Bible. “Okay, who’s speaking here?”
Several volunteered, “Jesus.”
“Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” His gaze wandered around the room again, connecting with numerous students, eye