Quiet power From Dr. Bill Bright
Dear friends:
A dear friend, Dee Jepsen, wife of former U.S. Senator Roger Jepsen, attended a luncheon in the Senate Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Congressmen, Cabinet members, top leaders in government, and many other respected guests were seated in the impressive room with its ornate pillars, high ceilings, and huge chandeliers. The room seemed to swell with influential people who had gathered to honor a humble servant of God.
Then Mother Teresa entered the room.
Mrs. Jepsen said, "She looked so tiny and out-of-place in her blue-and-white habit, old gray sweater, and sandals that had obviously carried her many miles. The room and prestigious guests seemed to dwarf her."
Immediately the top leaders of the most powerful country in the world along with the other esteemed guests rose to their feet and applauded. Many had tears in their eyes.
"I was struck with the contrast," Mrs. Jepsen said. "I thought, Lord, this frail woman has more power than I see in the Halls of Congress. She reflects Jesus everywhere she goes, and everyone is strangely moved."
Mother Teresa doesn't own anything; she has never asked for material possessions nor held up her fist to demand rights for herself. Yet she has been raised to a pinnacle of recognition for her work with the destitute and dying in Calcutta, India. She has reached down into the gutter and loved those whom the world has called unlovable. A shining example of selflessness, she proves the power of God's love to transform people and touch a starved world.
This is real power and, unlike that of the world, it confounds the wise and humbles the mighty. It is the power of God working through ordinary men and women for His glory.
Our Lord, God in the flesh, was an example of sheer, unlimited power, but controlled and restrained for His mission, and driven by love.
When we are filled with His Spirit, we have that same power inside of us. But He wants us to be vessels of His mission, to walk in His humility, and also to be driven by His love. Then people will not see us, but will see Him in us. Like Mother Teresa, we will display a power the world does not know. But His Spirit working in us will draw others to Himself.
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
INSIGHTS from Bill Bright
Reflections from the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International
http://spiritual.crosswalk.com
September 3, 2002
Loving the Unlovely
From Dr. Bill Bright
Founder and Chairman
Campus Crusade for Christ International
Dear friends:
In his book, "The Be-Happy Attitudes," Dr. Robert Schuller tells the
following interesting story.
Years ago a teenager born in Yugoslavia responded to God's call on her
life. A missionary's strong challenge to give her life to teaching in
India resulted in her appointment to the city of Calcutta.
Some months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her
life, and would ultimately bring her worldwide fame. What was the
sight? It was a homeless, dying woman lying in the gutter, being eaten
by rats. Compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from
the government, and convert it into a crude makeshift hospital for the
dying. Her comment became her life's thrust: "If there is a God in
heaven, and a Christ we love, nobody should die alone."
This woman later established colonies for over 10,000 lepers in 28
cities. She was interviewed by the late Malcolm Muggereidge from the
BBC News. "Mother Teresa, the thing I noticed about you and the
hundreds of sisters who now form your team is that you all look so
happy. Is that a put-on?"
"Oh no, not at all," she replied. "Nothing makes you happier than when
you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt."
Service is its own reward. True mercy begets genuine joy.
Sometimes Christians get so caught up in their organizations and their
favorite doctrines that they forget the most important thing about God's
revelation in Christ and our faith, and that is love. Our Lord said, "A
new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35, NIV).
He also said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments"
(Matthew 22:37:40).
Our Lord Jesus set the example. He did not die just for his family and
disciples, but for the whole world. "God demonstrates his own love for
us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans
5:8).
Let us thank and praise God for His great, unselfish love.
Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright