Commitment to Christ


While reading John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life” I came across the story of America’s first overseas missionary – Adoniram Judson. He was determined to take the gospel to the people of Burma in Asia.

Before he went he asked the father of Ann Hasseltine for her hand in marriage. He did through a letter in which not only was he asking to marry his daughter but for her to be his missionary partner in far away Burma. This is what he wrote…

“I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean, to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls… and the glory of God?"

As the father, what would you have replied?

As the daughter, would you have accepted such an offer?

Are you committed to spreading the gospel and "the glory of God"?
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