And now, one other issue burning on my mind. In many mission organizations, recruitment is going down and down year by year. Of those who do get involved in missions, many are simply looking for a short-term adventure—which unless it is the first step in a long-term career, usually has little lasting effectiveness and is generally more expensive than useful. Of those who join long-term, most want a cushy place to work in—not one that is politically unstable or that demands years of preparation before really getting started or that lacks the infrastructure to make life convenient or that requires long-term “roughing it.” Among believers in this [overseas] country, the problem is the same. Those who have gotten an education and have the skills and potential to get involved in Bible translation and literacy don’t want to. They don’t care to spend their lives in some remote and inconvenient area doing work that will keep them permanently poor and offers no opportunity for advancement.

“I feel almost a desperation as I think about conveying the need. Workers are so badly needed! Those willing to go are so few, and getting fewer! If people could just get a glimpse of the titanic battle that is going on! - of the hideous forces of evil assaulting the world, and of the fact that there are in reality no civilians.

“The issue is not recruiting; the issue is getting people passionate about God. As long as we are enamored with this life, of course we will want to build a nice little nest for ourselves and spend our months lining it cozily. If we could become enthralled with GOD, and glimpse His heart-breaking love for us, His burning passion for the lost, His vast and marvelous plan for the universe—everybody would be a recruit. Whether that will mean moving overseas or staying home will be different in each case. But the mindset of each individual will not be on getting situated and having a fine life; the mindset will be: God has stationed me here on earth as His soldier. How can I use my life to advance His Kingdom?

“This is my new prayer: that God will open His people’s eyes to see His glory and set their hearts on fire with love for Him. Then at last the Good News will be carried to the ends of the earth, lived out in the remotest outposts, translated in the most resistant strongholds, and rejoiced in by a people who have found the Final Satisfaction—for the Final Satisfaction is a Person, and nothing on earth is as wonderful as to walk with Him wherever He goes.”

This is a newsletter excerpt from a missionary who has found the Final Satisfaction