Me…? Now…?

Time to read: 2 mins

I was recently reading a biography of Amy Carmichael (Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes, Iain Murray), missionary to India in the early 1900s, and was struck by a quote of words which she said of her call to care for, and share the gospel with children rescued from serving in the Hindu Temples, “If not now, then when? If not me, then who?” She felt the burden of being a Christian in a heathen land; if she did not tell these people the gospel, perhaps no-one ever would.

This quote has stuck in my thoughts and been a challenge to me in considering the people I come into contact with day by day. Many of them may never have heard the gospel. If I don’t speak to them of their need of Christ, perhaps no-one ever will. It may be that no other Christian will cross paths with many of these people. If I don’t speak today, as the opportunities arise in conversation then perhaps there will never be another opening, perhaps there will be no tomorrow in their life or in mine in which to speak.

Naturally we often shy away from speaking of our faith, perhaps fearful of what others will think of us or how they will react. Considered in light of eternity sharing the gospel with those we come across is the most loving thing we can do although they may well not react as though this is so. If we really believe that all who don’t know the Lord Jesus as their personal saviour will end up in hell for all eternity, what could be more loving than warning them of their danger and pointing them to Christ?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

(Romans 1:16)

These words of Paul emphasise the importance of the gospel. May we, like Paul, be unashamed of the gospel and firm in our knowledge of its power to save that we might be bold to share the good news with others.

Pause to think about Amy Carmichael’s words and let them be a challenge in your life to speak the truth to those around you – family, friends, colleagues – at every opportunity. “If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”

[A00088 – 14/09/2018]