A Task Unfinished

I had planned to write an entirely different post today, but it’s going to wait until another week, because there is a song that has continued to play in my head and resound in my heart the past two weeks, and I want to share it with you.

I’ve begun to speak in churches, presenting the work that God has called me to do, and while part of the goal is certainly to see God raise up financial partners, I would be even more grateful if He chooses to use my testimony in some way to challenge another person to go to the unreached!

God has used many different things over the course of my life to direct my heart toward missions: the testimonies of missionaries who came and spoke at my church; books about missionaries like Jim and Elizabeth Elliot, John and Betty Stam, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Alward, David Livingston, William Carey, and many others; and yes, He definitely used music as well!

In the 1920's, the persecution threat against Christians in China was extremely high; as a result many missionaries were hesitant to commit to bring the gospel to a place where their lives could be in danger. With a heart that was broken for these unreached people, Frank Houghton, a China Inland Mission worker penned these words:

Facing a task unfinished, that drives us to our knees.
A need that, undiminished, rebukes our slothful ease.
We, who rejoice to know Thee, renew before Thy throne,
the solemn pledge we owe Thee to go and make Thee known.

Nearly 100 years later, this task is still unfinished.

I’m going to be honest, I haven’t made it through this song yet without crying, because God continues to impress on me the reality of the darkness and hopelessness that so many people are facing, who are literally begging for someone to tell them about Jesus, but have no access to the gospel in their language!

Where other lords beside Thee hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee, defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying for life, and love, and light
Unnumbered souls are dying and pass into the night

Keith and Kristyn Getty have reworked the melody for this beautiful hymn and added a chorus. I’d encourage you to listen and honestly ask God, "What is my part in bringing to gospel to those who are unreached?" Never rule out that He might be sending you! 

We go to all the world, His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save but Jesus Christ The Lord 

You might think you are past the point in life where God would send you. I’ve been so challenged by the testimony of Paul and Ellen Swenson, one of the sweet couples I’ll get to serve with in Papua New Guinea, Lord willing. They were in their 30’s, had excellent jobs, clear career paths, five children, a beautiful home, and a stable life with church and family…but they were courageous enough to ask God what part they were supposed to play in His plan to bring the message of redemption to the unreached people group. The answer? They were to go!

We bear the torch that flaming fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus died and rose
Ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition to Thee we yield our powers

O Father who sustained them, O Spirit who inspired
Saviour, whose love constrained them to toil with zeal untired
From cowardice defend us, From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us to labour for Thy sake 

We go to all the world, His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save but Jesus Christ The Lord 

What an incredible privilege you and I have been given to "bear the torch" and carry the light of the gospel!!



"Facing a Task Unfinished"
 
Facing a task unfinished, that drives us to our knees.
A need that, undiminished, rebukes our slothful ease.
We, who rejoice to know Thee, renew before Thy throne,
the solemn pledge we owe Thee to go and make Thee known.

Where other lords beside Thee hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying for life, and love, and light
Unnumbered souls are dying and pass into the night

We go to all the world, with kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save, but Jesus Christ The Lord

We bear the torch that flaming fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus died and rose
Ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours
Fired by the same ambition to Thee we yield our powers

O Father who sustained them, O Spirit who inspired
Saviour, whose love constrained them to toil with zeal untired
From cowardice defend us, From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us to labour for Thy sake

We go to all the world, His kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save but Jesus Christ The Lord