Keep It Up

The missionary who had toiled fervently for those souls in Africa for over twenty years was coming into the American port. On the same ship, Theodore Roosevelt was ariving home from a two-week African safari. As the ship approached the dock, the passengers could see those on land waving banners and celebrating. The excitement grew as the ship’s passengers stepped onto the dock, and the shouts of exclamation climaxed as the President walked down the gangplank. No one noticed the worn and weary missionary walking among them. Once he was away from the crowd, the missionary turned his face toward heaven and cried, “Lord, I have worked so long and so hard for you. I have tried to bring your message to the lost, evn though most have rejected it. O, Lord, now that I am home, those praises and shouts of welcome should have been for me.” Then the Lord answered, “My son, you are not home yet.”

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
-Hebrews 12:2,3

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
-1 Peter 2:9