Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as
the stars for ever and ever.
Most people have never heard of the first overseas missionary from
America to Burma, Adoniram Judson. Judson was a brilliant man who learned
to read when he was only 3. He went to college when he was just 16. He
graduated valedictorian of his class at the age of 19. He was the son of a
pastor, having been raised with Godly values, however while in college, he
met a student named Jacob Eames, a deist who denied the miracles of the
Bible. By the time Judson finished college he had turned completely from
the Lord. For a short while, he lived a vagabond and reckless life, until
a series of God-incidences turned his life inside out.
During this time, he left to visit his uncle, but instead,
unexpectedly encountered a pious young man who amazed him by his strong
Christian convictions, yet without being austere or dictatorial. The Lord
placed this young man in the path of Judson to recapture the heart of the
prodigal.
The very next night, he stayed at a small village inn where he had
never been before. The innkeeper apologized that his sleep might be
interrupted because a critically ill man was staying in the next room. The
following day, as Judson was leaving, he asked the innkeeper about the sick
man, and was informed that the man had passed during the night. Judson
then asked the innkeeper, “Do you know who he was?” The man replied,
“Oh yes. Young man from the college in Providence. Name was Eames, Jacob
Eames.”
Upon hearing it was his old friend that just passed, Judson could
hardly move. He stayed there for hours pondering death and eternity. He
thought, if Jacob Eames was right, then his death was just a meaningless
event. Judson could not believe it, and said, “That hell should open in
that country inn and snatch Jacob Eames, his dearest friend and guide, from
the next bed-this could not, simply could not, be pure
coincidence.”
From that moment forward, Judson knew God was real. He rededicated
his life and became a missionary in Burma for nearly 40 years. Before he
died, he translated the Bible into Burmese, and planted over 100 churches.
Perhaps God will
place someone in your path today because He wants you to be a light so that
his or her life might be turned around! With the greatest harvest fast
approaching, each of us is called to the mission field – the one right
outside our door! (George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah)
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