No Regrets: From the Coordinator
Sitting in the pews of the mortuary chapel, I glanced up and looked at the coffin. To the side of it, was a picture of my cousin Sue: beautiful, vibrant, smiling. Inside the coffin was someone I did not recognize. Her hair was white, her face was wrinkled, her cheeks sunk in, and her body emaciated. Stomach cancer had not only taken her life, but her beauty. I reflected on the temporary nature of our life and asked myself the question, “Will I walk away from this life with any regrets?”
I looked up again and noticed the two people standing beside the coffin, a middle-aged man and a young woman around 20 years old. The older man was embracing the younger woman, both were weeping uncontrollably. I looked into the man’s face and saw sorrow and grief so deep and mournful that it moved me to tears. What would it be like to bury your wife? What would it be like to lose your mother?
There is something that happens to you when you look death in the face. It snaps you out of the mundane routine of life and forces you to reflect on matters of eternal significance, to ask the deep questions of life, to gain perspective.
It was there at the gravesite, as we lowered her into the ground and placed our roses on her coffin that I was reminded of the reason we send missionaries all over the world. I was reminded of the great hope we have in a Savior who was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief …” (Isaiah 53:3, ESV). I was drawn again to the One who “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows …” (Isaiah 53:4–5, ESV). This is the One who has conquered death: ugly, indiscriminate, painful death. His resurrection brings life, health, vitality, hope, and victory over the grave.
What an incredible message of hope we have for those who are experiencing deep loss and sadness. What amazing comfort we have in our times of darkness and disorientation. Jesus, our resurrected King, frees us from fear and enables us to risk boldly for His kingdom. Our life here is so short. When we live it for Him, we will live it with no regrets.
Lloyd Kim is coordinator of Mission to the World. He is a former PCA pastor and a former missionary with MTW in the Philippines and Cambodia. He holds an M.Div. from Westminster Seminary in California and a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Lloyd and his wife, Eda, are the parents of Kaelyn, Christian, and Katy.
GET INVOLVED
Addicts to Pastors: The Gospel Transforms the Lives of Two Bulgarian Pastors
In early adolescence and young adulthood, two men were ensnared in the throes of drug addiction. Then the Holy Spirit flipped the script.
SEE MORERescuing the Unseen
MTW's CEMIPRE ministry center for the blind is restoring hope in Chile, especially in the wake of devastating wildfires last February.
SEE MOREMy Internship in Japan: What I Learned About Prayer and Sharing the Gospel
I arrived in Japan with apprehension and excitement. ... Then a few days in, our orientation reminded me of our goal to share the gospel.
SEE MOREPray for our single missionaries serving internationally in the midst of their unique struggles.
Pray for missionaries to remain faithful in the mundane and not get caught up in striving to perform for the praise of others.
Pray for missionaries who are doing valuable work yet have trouble raising support because their work or field is deemed less exciting or less important than other mission work by some in the church.
Pray for missionaries raising support and for potential donors to grasp the eternal importance of supporting missions.
Pray for missionaries who are experiencing homesickness on the field.
Please pray for God’s protection over new missionaries and our MTW family as we engage in God’s kingdom work.
Pray for current missionaries, future missionaries, sending churches, and donors to be willing to ask the question, "How could God use me?"
Pray for missionaries on the field who struggle with loneliness.
DAY 13: Italy has a lower percentage of evangelical Christians than Iran. Pray for the move of God's Spirit in this barren land.
Pray for Boris and Niki, two national partners from Bulgaria, as they move through a pastoral internship and into a new stage of ministry. Give thanks for God's work in their lives.
SUBSCRIBE TO STORIES & MORE
Good news in your inbox, once per week.
1600 North Brown Rd
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
United States
1-678-823-0004
[email protected]
Donor Advised Fund Portal
Circle Portal