“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting.  It has been found difficult and left untried.”

-G.K. Chesterton

If I am honest, I am not testing the Christian life.  Not really.  If I am really honest, I mostly dabble in what God invites me too (I mean, He invites me to give up my very life, doesn’t He?).

But some actually do test the Christian ideal.  Some people say “Here Am I, send me,” Like Isaiah did when God asked “Who Shall I send?”

The Shrums are some of those people.  Jeff & Peg Shrum serve with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mozambique, Africa.  They are working to develop a written language and Bible translation for the Takwane people group.  Jeff & Peg have a burden for seeing the Scriptures translated for those who did not have a Bible in their own language.  They met while they were individually preparing with Wycliffe.  They were married in 1994 and moved to Mozambique two years later to begin their ministry.

The Takwane have no written language to speak of, and therefore no Bible to read.  As of posting this blog, the Shrums are working through the first 15 chapters of Genesis as they take what was only a spoken language and translate it into the written word.  They are making amazing progress as they live and work amongst these African people!

At Grace Community Church, we believe all peoples are called to be missionaries.  If I am a follower of Christ, then by definition, I am a missionary.  My task is to look and listen for where God is working in the world today (thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven), and try and join Him in what he is doing.

Some people respond in ways that require them to live a vocational life of ministry.  They take a vow of dependence upon God and others for their provision in life.  The Shrums have said yes to God by trusting Him, and the larger Body of Christ, to support them in the amazing work they are doing.

I give thanks to God for people like the Shrums who, when God asked, “Who Shall I send?” said “YES!  Send me!”  By their sacrifices of living far from what is comfortable and what was home, they challenge me to say yes to the things God is asking of me, right here in Indiana.

I am going to try and say YES to God today.  Will you Please say YES with me?