LIVING SACRIFICE: In the deeply moving and thought-provoking book, “Living Sacrifice: Willing to be Whittled as An Arrow,” Dr. Helen Roseveare shares some of her joys and challenges of 20+ years as a medical missionary doctor working in the African Congo in the 1950’s and beyond. When she talks about sacrifice, about being whittled for God’s purposes, and about sharing the sufferings of Christ, she knows what she’s talking about. Twelve years into her work in the Congo, civil war erupted with horrific effects on all. Many lost their lives. Her medical team was scattered, and their school and hospital desecrated. She herself was taken captive, brutally beaten and raped multiple times. She survived, God renewed her strength, and she returned to her mission station in the Congo to assist with rebuilding the broken country. This sobering and yet heart warming book, written after she had passed through these deep trials, shares the joys and challenges of her journey, and focuses on what it means to yield our rights and our will to God daily.
I’m convicted and encouraged afresh in my own walk with God... for God has each of us on our own refining journey... learning to die to self will, that HIS WILL may be accomplished! I agree with John Piper’s wife: “Each time I read one of Helen Rosevears accounts, I want to be like her. I want to know God in a deep way like she does.” - Noel Piper
Of course, what we often forget as we look at the lives of strong Christians... is that if we long for that deeper experience with God as they possess... we too have to be willing to carry the cross and walk thru the fire. We too have to be willing to be whittled as an arrow in God’s hand. Behind every testimony, is someone who has endured great testing.
May God give us willing hearts to be whittled... not to covet another’s strength or experience, but to yield patiently to our own refiners fire. We each have our own unique story in the making. Let’s give God the pen and allow Him to write the story that will be most useful for His purposes... no matter the cost. Job 23:10, Rom. 8:18,28
Here's some inspiring video of Helen sharing before she died!
