Lough Fook was a Chinese Christian in the 1860’s. At that time many Chinese men were being shipped to British Guyana and other places as indentured servants. When Fook heard about these “coolies”, he was filled with compassion and a desire for them to know Christ.
Fook ended up selling himself as an indentured servant so he could live amongst the other coolies and share Jesus with them. Before he died at just 43 years old, Fook had converted 100-200 fellow servants and established the first Baptist Church in South America.
I was blown away by this story and it left me asking myself, “Would I do that? Do I love Jesus and my fellowmen enough to make that kind of sacrifice, to become a slave in order to save other slaves?”
As I thought about this, I realized this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. In Philippians 2:5-8 we are told:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”
A life lived in selfish pursuit of our own interests is a life wasted. It is only when we follow Christ’s example, giving ourselves fully in service to our Heavenly Father and our fellowmen, that we find true meaning and purpose for our lives. Anything less is a waste of time.
Today take a moment to ask yourself the question, “What would I do for Jesus?” If you, like me, find yourself hesitating at the consequences of this question, then maybe it’s time for a little soul searching and reconsideration of your priorities.
God has a work for each of us to do. He may not be calling you to go overseas or to sell yourself into servitude like Lough Fook, but He is calling you to a life of service right where you are. When you truly fall in love with Jesus you can’t help but love His children too.
This week ask God to open your eyes to the world around you, to see others’ needs, and to teach you to love as He did, not just “with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18 NIV). Let your prayer be each and every day, “Lord, make me a servant, a servant like You.”