Today, I’d like to share a story with you. The story of my favorite missionary. I don’t know that I ever knew a missionary personally when I was kid. I heard lots of stories about them from the likes of Jim Elliot and others. My story today, though, is about a missionary I knew personally. Now, if you had known her, you may not think of her as a missionary, but believe me she was. When I was about 11, my parents planted a church. Well, that’s what we call it now, then my dad called it, “starting a new work.” As this church started to grow, lots of new families joined us. One family that joined us were the Murrays. I could tell countless stories of this family and their impact on my life, but today is Margaret’s story. Margaret was in her 20s or so when I met her. We became friends, that may seem odd to you that an 11 year old and a twenty-something would be friends. But, see, Margaret wasn’t your average twenty-something, she had been born with some health challenges, hydrocephalus I believe, and her intellectual/emotional functioning level was about 10.
Margaret was kind. Compassionate. Loved by all she met, and loved everyone she met. She was special in the best kind of way. As things happened, I continued to grow and mature, but Margaret stayed about 10. I went away to college, got married, but Margaret stayed her kind and innocent self.
She did some maturing though, she learned to drive, she got a job. She was making great strides into independence. She helped take care of her mother who had the debilitating disease of Multiple Sclerosis. Margaret also got saved. She accepted Jesus as her savior and was baptized by my dad. We were all so proud of Margaret. Then one day, her progress came to a halt.
I’m not really sure what happened. I was away at college. But my mom called one day and said Margaret is very sick. There were countless tests run, countless doctors brought it. I never did get a clear diagnosis. All I know is I went to see Margaret when I came home from break and she just wasn’t the same. Walking and talking had become difficult. She could no longer take care of herself. Then, I heard she couldn’t feed herself. She was declining so fast, but they really weren’t sure why.
Mr. and Mrs. Murray (Margaret’s parents) had to make the challenging decision to place her in a care facility as Mr. Murray couldn’t care for her and Mrs. Murray by himself. Margaret had to have a feeding tube and other things, just to keep her alive. Everyday her parents went to see her. They would sit by her bed and talk and simply be present. They would watch Gaither Homecoming Videos with her as this brought peace and comfort to them all. At the same time of Margaret’s significant decline, her mother was declining as well. The Murrays could no longer come to church, so my dad brought church to them. Once a week, my dad took a message to the care facility and shared it with the 3 of them. One day we were visiting and noticed that Margaret had the same question for any person that entered her room.
“Do you know my Jesus?” she asked.
Every person Margaret encountered she asked that question. “Do you know my Jesus?” Margaret became the teacher to all of us in that moment. She taught us that the most important question you can ask someone is “Do you know my Jesus?” Margaret had experienced the joy of salvation. The peace of God’s transformative power. Margaret had come to know Jesus in a real and intimate way and she wanted others too as well.
So today, I want you to know 2 things that are not required to be a missionary and 2 things that are. Let’s start with what’s not required.
- Ability
- Location
Often, we have this idea about missionaries. They’re the young people that travel the world spreading the gospel. They can walk and get around easily. They have lots of energy. They can endure physical hardships. But that’s not the case. Margaret taught me that even laying in a bed with a feeding tube, you can still be a missionary. All you have to do is ask the question, “Do you know my Jesus?”
The other is location. We often think of missionaries as those who go to foreign countries and different cultures. We don’t really talk about being a missionary where you are. Margaret taught me location doesn’t matter. Margaret stayed in that care facility until she went home to be with the Lord. But the confines of her bed or wheelchair didn’t mean anything. She asked every person she encountered, “Do you know my Jesus?” and she was always ready to tell them about Jesus. She was ready to tell them what the Lord had done in her life.
So, no matter your ability or your location, you can still be a missionary. You can still spread the gospel to whoever you encounter.
Now, the 2 things that are required.
- Love the Lord
- Willingness to share
You must have a love for the Lord. Love him with your whole heart, mind, soul, everything you have.
You must be willing. It’s not always easy. A willing heart is a necessity. Willing to tell people about your Jesus. What’s he’s done for you. What he’s brought you through. How you’ve seen him. You must be willing to share.
Margaret became quite well known at her care facility. Kindness does that. It has a tendency to make you known. So much so that one of her nurses posted a sign on her door that said, “Do you know my Jesus?” I guess as a preparation for what you would be asked when you entered her room.
When Margaret died, it was a harsh blow to her family, our church, and to those who had lived and worked with Margaret at her care facility.
I have this picture in my head of when Margaret got to heaven being somewhat like Mary Magdalene when Jesus appeared to her in the garden after his resurrection. I’m pretty sure ran and jumped into his arms and said, “My Jesus!” because that’s who he was. He was hers. He was her friend. He was her savior.
I don’t have any statistics for you today on how many she won to the Lord. I don’t think it matters. I do know that my dad taught her an old song written by Vep Ellis with her question as the title, “Do You Know My Jesus?”
It goes…
Have you a heart that’s weary
Tending a load of care?
Are you a soul that’s seeking
Rest from the burden you bear?
Do you know (Do you know) my Jesus?
Do you know (Do you know) my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide ’til the end?
Who knows your disappointments?
Who hears each time you cry?
Who understands your heartaches?
Who dries the tears from your eyes?
Do you know (Do you know) my Jesus?
Do you know (Do you know) my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide ’til the end?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide ’til the end?
Remember, ability and location don’t matter, love of God and willingness do. May we all be good missionaries, just like Margaret.
