March 3, 2026
— Henry Martyn · Source: Journals and Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn (1837), vol. 1, journal entry of May 17, 1806
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The depth of missions determines their breadth. In his journal Henry Martyn first longed for grace and to be "perfectly holy," and only then prayed, "now let me burn out for God"; he reminds us that missions are not an outward activity, but an overflow of the inner life of Christ. When we lament the remoteness of the "ends of the earth" or the arduousness of the mission field, we should first turn inward and examine: Am I drawing closer to the source of missions? The descent of the Holy Spirit not only gives us the ability to work, but also the compassionate heart of Christ for sinners. Without this "closeness" to the Lord, missions are merely a futile journey; with the Spirit of Christ, even a simple, short mission can become a life-changing testimony. How far we go outward depends on how deeply we are rooted in the Lord within our inner world.
Our loving Heavenly Father: thank You for stirring my heart again through the journal of Henry Martyn. He first asked for grace and to be perfectly holy, and only then prayed to burn out for You; let me also draw near to You first, and then be sent by You. May the Holy Spirit burn within me continually, so that I am not content with the status quo but share Your heart that seeks the lost sheep. Whether You send me near or far, may my life first be wholly Yours, so that wherever You send me I may show the self-giving love of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!