Don’t you wish those special ‘God-moments’ occurred in your life more frequently than they do? I wished they did. When I was asked to act the part of the catalyst God used to kick-start one of the most successful disciple-making movements in modern mission history, I knew I was experiencing a “God-thing”. It was clear that He was divinely orchestrating events.
In my latest book, The Second Act, I tell the remarkable story of how that happened which culminated in me ‘being Fraser’ for what later became a gold Remi award-winning docudrama, Breakthrough: The Story of James O. Fraser and the Lisu People.
Last month marked the 10th anniversary of this short movie. Now available in 14 languages, it is estimated to have been seen all over the world by some 20,000 people. Who really knows how many?
The producer met a Chinese person who told him they had seen it broadcast on Chinese TV on more than one occasion! If that’s the case, given China’s population, it has potentially impacted many more than this nominal figure. I also know that it is regularly used by an international ministry involved with training Chinese missionaries. I once received an email that a young Tibetan had been challenged by the movie to reach out to his people. Praise the Lord!
At the end of the day, only God knows the fruit that continues to be borne from the efforts made by a group of people in Thailand and the U.S. a decade ago. 80 years after Fraser’s death, I’m reminded of the words of Jesus inscribed on Fraser’s memorial in China:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24)
What Will Be Your Legacy?
How wonderful that Fraser’s life, although cut short prematurely, is still bearing much fruit. How about your life and mine? Jesus calls us to be fruitful (see John 15). And when we pass from this life to the next, what will be our remaining legacy? Will our lives continue to bear good fruit in the lives of others, like J. O. Fraser’s does?
The truth is we just don’t know how the seeds we sow into the lives of others make a Kingdom difference. Let’s not grow weary in doing good for in due season we shall reap if we don’t lose heart (Gal. 6:9). When we keep in mind the legacy we want to leave behind, it helps us keep our focus in the present and to persevere through the hard times.
What legacy are you creating?