The pain was excruciating. The scream was loud and reverberated throughout the neighborhood. Physical agony deadened the mind as the body went into shock.
While splitting logs, I caught my left index and middle finger between a shaft of wood driven into the post of cold iron. The pressure from the hydraulic machine crushed the bones of my fingers and severed the first digit from my index finger. My mind, clouded by the piercing pain, turned to think of Him, who was pierced for my healing.
Picture Jesus in Gethsemane with blood oozing from His soon-to-be thorn-crowned brow. The dark depravity of human sin overwhelms the innocent Lamb of God. On Calvary, the emotional and spiritual agony from bearing our guilt and shame overshadows the physical pain of the crucifixion. The Savior tastes death—the anguish of eternal death—in love for us.
And yet, despite this pain, the Bible reveals the Savior and tells us: “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross . . .” (Hebrews 12:3). Grasp the faith of Jesus as He gazes beyond the crush of Gethsemane and triumphs over the hideous terror of Calvary. He has learned to trust, even through the things He suffered, and by faith, He takes hold of joy. Jesus knows that because of His sacrifice, we will one day be with Him throughout eternity. This is His joy.
In this life, each of us will endure pain and suffering. But if we take hold of the Savior, we will have hope and joy. Jesus’ example teaches us that there is no greater joy than seeing friends discover the joy of salvation through faith in the Lamb of God. We want to invite you to experience this joy—eternal joy—in knowing that you have introduced others to the Savior.
All the more joy if you consider the opportunity—the calling—God is giving you to go and share Jesus with those who have never had an opportunity to hear of Him. The incredible joy of seeing tears flow down your friends’ faces when they learn that God loves them so much that He gave His Son so they can live forever with you and Him. Please prayerfully consider this a personal invitation to begin a journey of joy among the world’s unreached peoples.
Imagine the time when “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
No more pain. No more pain for us, our friends, or God. Absolute joy! Eternal joy!
Please contact us for more information on how to give your life in service as a missionary to the unreached. Share the good news of the gospel. End pain. Bring joy! Call 800.937.4236 or email recruiter@afmonline.org.
