Brian Kumkoski recently sent the elders an extended quote from the conclusion of Howard Guinness’ publication, Sacrifice. It is worth meditating on as we consider our involvement in God’s mission.
Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake – flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in His service? Where are his lovers – those who love Him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort, or very life?
Where are the men who say “no” to self; who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after him; who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field; who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and die on it?
Where are the men of vision today? Where are the men of enduring vision? Where are the men who have seen the King in his beauty, by whom from henceforth all else is counted but refuse that they may win Christ? Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the pioneers for God who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise of fall of an empire? Where are the men of glory in God-sent loneliness, difficulties, persecutions, misunderstandings, discipline, sacrifice, death?
Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who, like the psalmist of old, count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend, and unmistakably bear with them the fragrance of the meeting through the day?
Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?
