One thing I wish I knew when I started sharing my faith was that, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
I can hear my Dad, evangelist Luis Palau, repeating those words over and over again. His inflection. His passion. His deep conviction. Obedience to Jesus Christ is a faith journey from start to finish.
My dad has certainly modeled to me the joy that comes from being submitted to Jesus, not just in ministry but in his entire life. It’s the journey of being a follower of Jesus – to be obedient to Christ no matter what our calling. I wish I had learned that reality earlier in life. It took me 27 long years to get there.
Dad truly lived this truth. From his early days as a street evangelist in Argentina to his last days as he fought against stage IV lung cancer, he took each day as a unique opportunity to learn to trust God and listen to Him all over again.
One of dad’s favorite poems from C.T. Studd says, “Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Always after dad would share this with me, he reminds me of the questions God will ask us after our life on earth is done…
“What did you do with what I gave you and who did you bring with you?”
It’s a hard lesson – learning to focus on that which has eternal significance. Keeping the Gospel priority in all. It can lead to a sometimes difficult path. But as I know now, it’s always the best we can do with our life.
2 Corinthians 5 goes on to tell us, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
What a great privilege to be a part of sharing the Good News with as many people as we can. We are dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel, winning as many souls as possible for Jesus Christ, drawing the Church together in unity, and impacting cities worldwide.
It’s a great day to be alive. It’s a great day to be preaching. It’s a great day to be in service together in the Great Commission – though it certainly isn’t easy. Only when we learn to listen to God and trust him every day do we experience the best life.
Further reflection:
1- Where is it I get my joy and purpose from?
2- Is there anything in my life that is distracting me from being obedient to Jesus?
3- What is one change I could make in my life that would help me stay focused in walking by faith as a follower of Jesus?