“March 3. – Accompanied A.B. in one of his rounds through some of the most miserable habitations I ever beheld. Such scenes I never before dreamed of. Ah, why am I such a stranger to the poor in my own native town? I have passed their doors thousands of times; I have admired the huge black piles of building, with their lofty chimnies breaking the sun’s rays – why have I never ventured within? How dwelleth the love of God in me? How cordial is the welcome of even the poorest and most loathsome to the voice of Christian sympathy! What imbedded masses of human beings are huddled together, unvisited by friend or minister! ‘No man careth for our souls,’ is written over every forehead. Awake, my soul! Why should I give hours and days any longer to the vain world, when there is such a world of misery at my very door? Lord, put thine own strength in me; confirm every good resolution; forgive my past long life of uselessness and folly.” – Memoir of the Rev. R. M. M’Cheyne, pages 22-23
Ways You Can Pray:
- That God would awaken us to love Him wholly and zealously; that we would not be quick to compromise and be apathic towards God, but that we would be white-hot with love for and trust in Him
- That the Lord would provide laborers for His harvest in Scotland…including men to plant churches, women to be women’s workers, and families and older couples to disciple and care for the new believers in the schemes
- That I would be able to entrust my family and church, whom I love, to Christ, Whom I love, as I take steps to move away to a scheme this August
Picture for this week:
I snagged this photo on a little plane going from Dublin to Edinburgh:
The view of this man’s wrinkled face stirred me to pray for God to send older men and women to His harvest in the schemes. Depending on the specific place, most schemes have a life expectancy of 40-45 years old. That being the case, how precious is would be for older Christians to move into the schemes and bring their wisdom and their wealth of love for and dependence on God that has been refined over the years.
I got to meet a couple this past January who are using their retirement years to serve long-term with 20schemes. How beautiful. Let’s pray for more people who are willing to serve the Lord when and where He calls. May we listen to His voice and obey. Oh God, give us Thine own strength!
No Compromise,
Claire
Claire in Scotland 