Tuesday
Matthew 5:13-16

In 1873, when she set sail for China, Lottie Moon was 32 years old. She had turned down a marriage proposal and left her job, home, and family to follow God’s lead. Her path wasn’t typical for an educated woman from a wealthy Southern family, but as she often said, “I don’t serve a typical God.” God had burdened her heart with an intense concern for the Chinese people’s need for the Savior.

For 39 years, Lottie labored chiefly in Tengchow and P’ingtu. At first, the people feared and rejected her, but she refused to leave. It was finally the aroma of her fresh-baked cookies which drew the people to her house. She also adopted the traditional Chinese dress and learned the language and their customs. Lottie once explained, “You see, I didn’t just serve the people of China; I met them where they were and then introduced them to my Jesus.”

“Send the Light,” by Charles H. Gabriel, was Lottie’s favorite hymn. It reminds us this world needs to know Jesus, and he has called us all to be his hands and feet to reach the world:

There’s a call comes ringing o’er the restless wave,
Send the Light, Send the Light!
There are souls to rescue, there are souls to save,
Send the Light, Send the Light!
Send the Light, the blessed gospel light,
Let it shine from shore to shore.
Send the Light, the blessed gospel light,
Let it shine forever more!

Just like Lottie Moon made a concerted effort to connect with the people of China in order to introduce them to Jesus, we too must make an effort to connect with the people God brings into our lives, whether it’s across the street or across the sea.