Yes, Lord

My weekend began with sad news.

An OMS missionary suffering with cancer passed away.

In his lifetime, Phil served the Lord in both Haiti and Taiwan. And if you know me, both those countries have played a significant role in my life.

My dad first met Phil during a short term mission trip to Haiti. I am not sure of the year or any other details, because I was just a young child at that point. In fact, it wasn't until I was in my adulthood  that I truly understood the impact of these two men and their hearts. 

Phil was a handy man, a problem solver.  

The Haitian field had been given an old radio tower. With that tower the gospel could reach thousands upon thousands. Its signal could climb the almost impassable mountains of Haiti. The signal could reach towns and villages where no missionary had gone. That signal could reach the hearts of dying men and women.

But, the field lacked the proper equipment to put that tower together.

Phil did not allow that to stop him from using his gifts from the Lord.

Instead of giving up and listening to the experts, he said, "Yes, Lord".

He devised a plan.

That's where my dad enters the picture. Every year, he would spend two weeks doing whatever the field needed him to accomplish. He wasn't a doctor, or a preacher, or even a carpenter. He was a simple truck driver.

But his heart was the size of Texas. 

After arriving on the field, Dad heard of Phil's plan. All he needed was someone willing to climb up the first section, bolt in the new section, and then climb it as another section was lifted up.

Phil was very tall. Dad was short, but they both knew how to say "Yes, Lord."

That's what Dad did. He raised his hand and volunteered to do it.

 

There was a drought at the time. Many Christians were praying for rain. The men assembling the tower were praying for the rain to hold off just a little longer. As the final piece was attached, rain clouds gathered. God was able to answer all their prayers!

My dad is the short one!

When I came to Taiwan my very first time, it was with my dad's blessing. He told me to look for the tallest man, and that would be Phil. He was right. I had the opportunity to serve with Phil for 6 months. For several of those months, I even got to be his neighbor,

After Dad's stroke, I had the opportunity to lead a group  from our church to Haiti. Phil's son Ted was a full time missionary with the OMS field. Together, we visited that tower. What a blessing to stand where my dad had stood. A blessing to realize that almost thirty years later, the message was still being sent out. 

Two men, not giving up, not allowing the world's perspective to affect their obedience. Two men, while opposite in stature, were united in their hearts.

Its so easy to allow common sense to direct our choices, our obedience. Its so easy to listen to the naysayers and allow their words to override the call of the Lord. Its so easy to play it safe, to follow our plan. 

If Carl and I had done that, we would have missed out on one of the biggest blessings of our lives. Not only us, but our children as well. Their lives would not be the same if we had not followed the voice of God.

Trust me, there were many questioning our sanity.

But, we had only one option.

And that was to say, "Yes. Lord."

I could end with that declaration, but there is a final thought floating around in my head.

What about you?

Are you willing to say "Yes, Lord"?

What is God calling you to or away from? What task has He set before you? What desires has He placed in your heart?  

Those two words may be the hardest words of your life, but if its God's will, they will be the best words you ever spoke.

Just say "Yes, Lord".