Reformátusok Lapja, 1970 (70. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1970-05-01 / 5. szám

Hungarian Reformed Religious Paper

Founded in 1900

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CALVIN SYNOD — UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Meditations of a Missionary

by Blaise Lévai

“Though I speak in the dialect of the people I serve and can preach with the eloquent power of a fiery evangelist; though as a surgeon I can operate with skill; though as an agriculturist I can raise acres of high-grade river rice; though as a teacher I can deliver learned lectures, but do not have love, my message is empty.

And though I have the talent of a diplomatic organizer and administrator in councils and meetings; though I have all the confidence that I need to raise large funds, but do not have love, I am good for nothing.

And though I share my posessions and give money to the poor, but do not help my brother to become a strong, independent follower of Christ, I achieve absolutely nothing.

Love, if it is genuine in the life and work of a missionary, is patient and constructive, it does not seek for position and prestige. Love is glad to see a competent national in charge, and envies not. Love seeks to train an indigenous leadership; it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance; it is never anxious to impress. Love tries to identify itself with people and is never puffed up.

Love that is genuine does not belittle. It does not compile statistics of another’s mistakes. Love seeks to bear joy and sorrow, failure and success in helpful ways. Love is not easily provoked when there is a difference of opinion; and when unknown rumors are spread, love believes the best.

Love that is genuine is a partnership. It is better to fail with a national in charge than to succeed without him. Love is not touchy; it never hides hurt feelings. Love never barricades understanding, it rejoices in sharing the truth.

Love keeps an open mind; is willing to attempt new methods and ways of doing things. Love does not consider the past so precious that it limits new vision. Love gives courage to change old ways when necessary. Unless we are prepared to adapt and change, we shall have defenders of an old system but no new voice; we shall have preachers but no prophets. We shall keep the bush primly pruned by hired gardeners, using expensive equipment, but within the bush there will be no burning fire.

Love that trusts little chidren never fails. Large institutions may cease; even heavily subsidized schools and colleges that impart knowledge may close. And if wisdom gained there fails to lead students to Christ the Saviour, it would be better to entrust such education to the government, for our knowledge is always incomplete without Him who is “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” Love that has no other desire but to trust, never fails.

We are in a period of change and transition. And where is the man who knows where we are going or what will happen on the mission field?

But now, here on earth, we can comprehend only in part.

When missions were yet at the stage of childhood, the methods of proclaiming Christ’s Gospel were simple. Authority was in the hands of a few. But now that missions have grown for over a century into maturity, they must put away childish dependence. There must be on each of the fields abroad a new strong independent church of the Master that is self-supporting, self-administrating and self-propagating.

But whatever happens, whatever direction the winds of change may take, there is this certainty; Our Lord will not leave Himself without a witness. He is perfecting His plan in and through history, though everything now looks confused and baffling.

Be sure of this: institutions will pass away, but labor wrought by hands which have shared with those in need; and the message of the saving love of Christ, who died and rose again and lives as Lord of Life, will never, never pass away. In this life there are only three enduring qualities: faith, hope and love; these three. But the greatest of these is love.

Paraphase of I Corinthians 13 by an Indian Christian