HEAPS UPON HEAPS
"And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps" (Judges 15:16). The vision of this man amazes me. A thousand of the Lord's enemies moved against him. He dared envision total conquest, "heaps upon heaps." A thousand men fell before his furious assault that day.
Samson was not afraid of numbers. For him "big things" were the order of the day. He claimed all beads within reach of his jawbone. Furiously this man of God staked his claim as he went among them. This servant of Jehovah knew the proper balance between boundless faith and tireless effort. "And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him" (Judges 15:14). God has always honored this formula. The deeper the faith, and the more persistent the effort, the mightier the manifestation.
Samson attacked with what he had. Now, precious few men are multitalented, and no one has every gift. But we should use what we have. David attacked with a stone, Moses with a stave, Samson with a jawbone. What do you hold in your hand? Then use it, man, in Heaven's name! Use it upon anyone in sight. Make heavy demands on yourself and few requests of others. But strike again and again until there are "heaps upon heaps" to attest to your faithfulness.
E. E.C.
"ONE OF THE GREATEST INSTRUMENTALITIES
We have had the plan, the opportunity, and the situation all along, yet in many places we have barely touched the possibilities. We have been told, "The Sabbath school should be one of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 10.
Not long ago in Texas, Conference President B. E. Leach invited G. R. Nash, of the General Conference Sabbath School Department, to a ministerial workers' meeting with only one item on the agenda —"Branch Sabbath School Evangelism." The Spirit of the Lord fell upon the dedicated group of men. After some careful planning and study the ministers of this great conference joyfully set as their objective the launching of 308 branch Sabbath schools (they were already conducting 102) and 64 Vacation Bible Schools. This response of the ministers to this avenue of evangelism was heartening. Then followed commitment services in each church, where the laymen responded enthusiastically to the renewed emphasis on this simple, uncomplicated program of soul winning that they themselves could easily arrange and operate.
Two young women in San Antonio, Texas, thought they would try this branch Sabbath school plan. Full arrangements, careful preparation, and attractive invitations were circulated, but only one child and no adults attended. They were so discouraged that they wanted to give up in failure, but the local church elder encouraged them and offered to help them for a few weeks. Through more intensive visitation in the neighborhood and the help of the one child in inviting his friends, the group began to grow until in a few weeks the young women were so thrilled with their progress that they enthusiastically recommended branch Sabbath school evangelism to everyone. Their school increased to 45 and is still growing. Several decisions for Christ and church membership have already been made. The layman's cooperation in this type of evangelism is a joy to behold.
The conference president observed, "We are coming to realize that Sabbath school evangelism is truly something that can change the course of our entire soul-winning program. It is a great breakthrough in evangelism in our field—something we have earnestly sought for years."
A. C. F.
WHO AM I? OR WHOSE AM I?
The cult of self-expression so easily becomes the cult of self-worship. When that occurs in Christian workers, the results are not inspiring. Self-expression has a legitimate sphere, but it easily degenerates into unholy personal ambition. One of the greatest men of all time found greatness when he answered the question "Who am I?" by declaring "I am a voice!" When he recognized his Master, he knew the answer to the greater question "Whose am I?"
A man who belongs to Christ is not eaten up with self. He lives and works for the glory of God and His cause—not to please men. Of all men, we who believe in a soon-coming kingdom should submerge self and glorify the King.
The great Christian theologian and pioneer missionary, a man with pride of pedigree and self-centered ambitions, was galvanized into an amazingly new way of life when he learned to comprehend the whole of life in these words: "God, whose I am, and whom I serve" (Acts 27:23).
Yes, indeed, life is not so much a matter of who am I but whose am I?
H. W. L.
