HALF-WHAT?

Is your life half-full or half-empty? Our answer to that rhetorical question depends a lot on our spiritual walk. That truth came to mind when I read the newsletter that came recently from a Bible translation ministry we support. A lesser person would have given up. But a persecuted man, who loved Jesus with all his heart, soul, and mind, persevered. Reading his story was a “wow” moment.

This man lived in war-torn Africa, part of a tribal community with a language only 26,000 people spoke. Hostilities became so intense that one day his family hastily fled their village with just the clothing they wore. For seven days, night and day, they walked. There was no food and many in their community died of thirst or starvation. One night, half way to a country which would shelter them, they heard gunfire. The group ran one way, but this man sensed a voice telling him to go another. Later he learned his family escaped an ambush that killed hundreds.

Settling into a refugee camp in another country, he started working with some Bible translators who wanted help with his language. Then, the translators had to flee to a safer area. Compelled to continue, he and another man rode bikes 200 miles to continue their work with the translators.

The rebels didn't give up, kidnapping this man and eight others from the translation office. One by one, they killed his companions. One night they came for him—but released him. More trials came his way, but he persevered in his quest to have the New Testament translated into his native tongue.

Thirty years after the translation effort began, the New Testament in his language was published and distributed in a great celebration. Of that event, he said, “At that time, I forgot all the challenges I went through.”

As I finished reading that, the words of Paul came to mind: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13).

Working with the half-full glass of opportunity and skills he was given, he filled it with determination and faith. And finally, his cup runneth over.

A good message, I think, for the fears and inconveniences that have come upon us in the coronavirus pandemic. Half full, and still filling, with Jesus? Or half-empty, and draining, with complaint?