“Then said I, Lo, I come . . . to do thy will, O God.”
(Heb. 10:7)
Little more can shake a young person’s world, than hearing that another young person has passed away.
This past week, that happened. One of my fellow PCC students – unknown to me, though we had a couple mutual friends – went home to be with the Lord. He was only 20.
Sudden. Unexpected. Tragic.
The news thrust me into reflection. Our lives could end any day – it is not just “old people” who die – we have no choice in the matter.
A verse popped into my head: “But we see Jesus . . . that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9).
He willingly experienced death in our place, then rose again, so that we could have eternal life in heaven with Him.
Why?
Just cuz’. Just because He loves us that much. Just because He thinks we are special. Just because He had grace on us… enough to take the punishment for our sins.
Jesus Did His Will
This summer, I have been studying the Book of Hebrews, reading the author’s argument that Christ’s sacrifice and salvation is better than the Old Covenant.
Under Moses’ Law, the priests had to offer sacrifices day after day to atone for the people’s sins.
But then Jesus came…
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
(Heb. 10:9-10)
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
His sacrifice was sufficient to save us from our sins – past, present, and future. And because of the hope He gives us, now we can also say, “I come to do Thy will, O God.”
To Do His Will… as Missionaries
With that in mind, I think of the missionary appointees – 13 total – who just spent the week at BMM’s Candidate and Launch Seminars.
All week long, they sat in classes that taught them everything they needed to know about deputation – from expense reports to insurance, from prayer letters to endurance.
On Thursday evening, we shared some laughs at skit night…
…and on Friday afternoon, we officially recognized the appointees at a formal banquet.
But my favorite part was listening to the testimonies. While the new appointees shared how God had directed them toward missions, the more seasoned ones recounted stories of God’s provision during the deputation process.
Most missionaries, I discovered, are on deputation for 3-5 years before reaching their field.
Why expend all that energy, for such a long time?
Because they have Good news to share – Christ died “once for all!”
Because they are here “to do [His] will” – even if it means traveling to the other side of the world.
To Do His Will… in Trials
I think of a missionary friend in Africa, suffering through a long, rough bout with Covid. And yet he finds himself in the greatest mission field, using the opportunity to hand out tracts and Bibles.
Why?
Because he has Good News to share – Christ died “once for all!”
Because he is there “to do [His] will” – even in the midst of intense suffering and difficulty.
To Do His Will… at VBS
This past week was Berea Baptist’s VBS, where a sizable team of church members eagerly ministered to the 35 or so kids that came. Although the program was held in the evening, when we were all exhausted from our long days at work, the team served with joy and energy.
Why?
Because they had Good News to share – Christ died “once for all!”
Because they were there “to do [His] will” – even though it meant sacrificing a few hours each evening.
And their labor bore fruit: one little girl got saved!
A young person’s death makes one reflect on life… but Christ’s death and resurrection gives us purpose in life – to live for Him and share Him with others.
“I come to do Thy will, O God.”
He did it for us. Today, how can I do it for Him?
The Foolish Things 