One Person at a Time

I have been silent for a while - because the LORD has been silent for a while, except for one Scripture that continues reverberating through my spirit: "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4). What is this "work" we are called to while it is still day? What is the coming night?

The night is already here in many parts of the world. Persecution against Christians and Jews is so accelerated in many nations that even the missionaries are afraid to go in or to stay. The time of "night when no one can work" refers to the end of the age when Satan and his demons are given full reign over the earth. That night is drawing near, indeed. And it has been three years now since I have traveled internationally as a missionary, proclaiming the Good News of Yahshua haMashiach (Jesus our Messiah) to the nations. But what I did last week is, I feel, a picture of the "work" that Messiah calls us to do in this hour. It is best illustrated by a song that we used to sing in my former WhiteStone evangelistic ministry. The lyrics written by my dear sister, Karen Barritt, go like this:

I cannot feed the whole world or keep them dry and warm
I cannot hold the whole world in my arms
But then God speaks to me, "Do this for one of Mine,
You can feed the whole world, one person at a time."
I cannot tell the whole world of God above
I cannot show the whole world Jesus' love
But then God speaks to me, "Do this for one of Mine,
you can tell the whole world, one person at a time."
I cannot keep the whole world from the storm and rain
I cannot free the whole world of fear and pain
But then God speaks to me, "Do this for one of Mine,
you can free the whole world, one person at a time."
Sometimes I think I can do nothing at all,
the needs are so great, I am so small
Then I hear His voice calling to me,
"Go to My people, find one, two, or three!"

Last week on the beautiful island of Maui I led a Bible study for about 8 women, hungry for the Word of God. I spent time with two precious families who have adopted orphans (including Melkamu in this picture), consecrated their lives to Messiah, and love to study His Torah. On Shabbat we hiked straight up a 1600 foot mountain trail on the island (5 adults and 6 children), shared a picnic of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and then studied the Torah portion together! It was an anointed time, calling each of us to remember that Jesus' ministry looked like this - eating and drinking with one or two families, teaching them Torah (God's instruction for right living), and blessing them with His love. He included the children and taught them too. And then He went on His way, ministering to one person at a time.

We must work while it is still day; and in America we are deeply blessed to still be able to do this ministry, openly and freely. But for how much longer? Soon it will be night when no one can work. So let us not feel guilty because we are not traveling to many foreign nations to proclaim the Gospel to thousands. Let us not think we must wear ourselves out in constant travel and spend thousands on airline tickets! Let us follow the Master's example - and Karen's little song - and remember that it IS possible for us to share Messiah's love with the whole world -- one person at a time!