Day19_Reflection

DAY 19: PRAYER FOCUS

CHOOSING ENDURANCE

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Romans 5:3–4 (ESV)

In 1921, Swedish missionaries David and Svea Flood, along with another couple, ventured to the Belgian Congo to spread the gospel. After being rejected by a village chief, they built mud huts and waited for a breakthrough, which came through a young boy who was led to Christ by Svea. Despite suffering from malaria, the couple continued their mission. Svea became pregnant and later died from childbirth complications. David buried her and returned to Sweden, abandoning his faith and mission. Their infant daughter, Aina, was later adopted by American missionaries who raised her in South Dakota, where she later became Aggie Hurst. As an adult, Aggie discovered her mother’s grave in Africa and learned of the Christian community that had grown from the seeds her parents planted. Years later, Aggie located her estranged father, David, and through a heartfelt conversation, he returned to God before passing away. At an evangelism conference, Aggie learned from a Zairean pastor that it was Svea who had led him to Christ as a boy. Visiting Africa, Aggie was honored by the village and saw her mother’s grave, where she reflected on the impact of her parents' sacrifices. The story of their faith and perseverance was a testament to the power of their legacy.

When I read the full story, I became very emotional and sobbed, but the concluding paragraph lifted my spirit again. The young boy who was the only soul that was won in Zaire shared these two powerful scriptures. First, John 12:24: “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Then followed with Psalm 126:5: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

Endurance is needed very much in this journey of faith as a child of God. You will encounter the odes, but you need to stay focus and courageous. Yesterday, I shared with you that you will be tested to see where your heart belongs. Today, I want you to know, beyond the test, you will also be broken by God in order to fix you for a glorious future. What you need during that session is more dosage of his words (scriptures) and prayers to sustain you. You will be pushed to the limit, you will be enticed with pleasurable opportunities and gifts. Sometimes you will be abandoned by family members, spouse and friends. But remember the words of our Savior in Mark 10:29–30 (NKJV), “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life”.

This statement by Jesus might seem it is for only those called to preach, but I tell you it is for all Christians. This is because, when you choose to do things differently by obey God and allowing him to lead you, your ways will become strange to people around you. Therefore, prepare your mind to endure all the odes that will come your way. Know that Christ will not turn his back on you, He will give you victory after you have endured.

Shalom.