I have many fond childhood memories of growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. And one particular recollection seems especially poignant today as we consider the amazing success God has made in Project Light and other East Gates projects over these many years.
I remember a little kerosene lantern we kept in a shed behind our home. One night, when I was nine years old, I decided to have an adventure--to take a hike in the woods at night with only the little red lantern to light my way.
Hiking in the dark woods with a lantern can be an interesting experience. The sphere of light given off by the lantern only lights the path two or three steps ahead of you.
| "Without the Word of God, we stumble and lose our way..." |
As a boy, alone in the woods at night, I found myself very much wishing I could see the whole path stretching out ahead of me.
I quickly learned that if I squinted, trying to see into the darkness beyond the sphere of light, I stumbled. But if I concentrated on keeping my steps completely within the area illuminated by the little red lantern, I was able to find my way.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Without the Word of God, we stumble and lose our way, but as we look to the Scriptures for guidance, God speaks to us and reveals His plan for our lives. More often than not, He does so one step at a time.
As Christians, without the Word of God we stumble. Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17, NIV). Without God's Word, we are poorly equipped to grow spiritually.
My father has often said, "There is no greater tool for evangelism than the Bible." Without God's Word, we are poorly equipped to carry out the Great Commission.
Jesus told His disciples as they were gathered on the mountainside, "You are the light of the world... In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV). Without God's Word we are poorly equipped to be the "light of the world."
China is the most populous nation on earth and there are many, many Christians there who do not have Bibles. Over the past ten years, however, East Gates has provided and distributed over two million legally printed Bibles to every province of China and have expanded into other areas of ministry that many said were impossible! In our 10th anniversary issue of East Gates Connection, you will read about the many avenues of ministry God has given to East Gates in China.
The little red lantern I held in my hands was temporal. The last time I saw it in the shed it was rusted and useless. But the Word of God is eternal and has the power to transform people into "lights of the world."
What a privilege it is to see Christian literature, evangelical training and the very Word of God placed in the hands of needy Christians all over China, so they do not stumble in the darkness, but grow and flourish in the light.
Ned Graham
President
A Word From Ned Graham
