Linda Buishas
Does the world know where the God Who loves lives?
Glady Alward knew, and she lived her life to tell others. In her book The Small Woman, by Alan Burgess (the basis for the movie The Inn of the Sixth Happiness), Gladys told the story of how Tibetan lama priests welcomed her into their “lamasery.” Although women were never allowed there, they invited her in, explaining they had waited long for her to tell them about the God Who loves.
When Gladys asked the head lama why she was allowed to speak to their priests, he told of how eight years prior, they had heard a man shouting, “Salvation is free, and he who has it lives forever.” He gave them a tract, which they read over and over: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” From this simple verse, they learned that somewhere there was a God Who loved. For five years they searched for Him.
Then one day they received a copy of the Gospels. They read it eagerly. They didn’t understand all it contained. However, they had read that Christ said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” Because of this, they believed that one day someone would come to tell them more about this wonderful God. They waited patiently, and when Gladys arrived, they knew she was the one. God answered these men who were hungry to know the God Who loves.
Maud Charlesworth Ballington Booth was also one whom God sent. She held Sunday services and bible studies in prisons. She recalled a letter from an inmate who wrote, “You said you loved us. Nobody ever said that to me before in my whole life, and I hardly know what the word means.” A few kind words, and a prisoner felt love for the first time. I’m reminded of the prison ministry to which several of us belong. While corresponding with inmates, we sense that, in their brokenness, their greatest need is to know the God Who loves them. Their testimonies reveal that they are being reached, for some, like with Gladys and Maud, for the very first time.
As Believers, we have His Spirit within us. Does the world recognize us as the lama priests recognized Gladys? Are we messengers of God’s love as Maud was? Do the words of the song that the group Casting Crowns sings ring in our ears: “If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching? … why aren’t His words teaching?” If we are the Body, are we leading others to Him? Are we willing to be sent? Will they know we are the ones for whom they’ve been waiting?”
May we live the Word daily so that all who do not know Him will see that within the heart of every Believer is truly the place where the God Who loves lives.