Dangerous Mosquito
Hebrew 12:1-4
When I was meditating on the passage above, I remembered my engagement in mission work during my theological training. We had to help with church planting in different villages as part of our practical experience of ministry training. I recalled some of the challenges we experienced with mosquito bites in remote African villages. People taught as a missionary you lived in a jungle were you battled with lion, elephant and other wild animals. Obviously we encountered some of these wild animals; however our real enemies in the mission field were tiny insects like mosquitoes. Many of us were attacked by malaria before we saw a snake or lion.
I remember younger theological students who were keen to become missionaries in these remote villages asking us questions about the mission field upon our return. What is it really like in the jungle they asked? I guess it would be really scary with all the lions, snakes and elephants; however am confident that they can be easily killed and turned into bush meat some of them commented. We admired their bravery but pointed them to our worse enemy-Mosquitoes.
‘We have seen some dangerous animals in Africa, but not the kind you are thinking of’. Our leader explained. Our biggest enemies in remote villages were mosquitoes. Mosquitoes? They wondered in unbelief. How can you even compare a tiny, little mosquito with a big, ferocious lion or dangerous snakes?
Lions and snakes can kill people. Actually, mosquitoes and the other insects kill far more people than big animals we explained. They carry malaria and other diseases that make many people sick. They may even be forced to leave the mission field due to ill health. These dangerous mosquitoes pose more threat than bigger animals.
I believe this principle applies to our Christian life too. Often it is not the big things that cause us to be discouraged. It is the little things like getting bored or not getting along with people. This is why we are encouraged in the first verse above to lay aside little baggage’s that slow us down. Those baggage’s are the real enemies and will shift our focus from Christ our ultimate example to ourselves.
How are you handling little frictions with your Christian brothers or sisters? In the course of my ministry, I have seen Christians that are willing to do big things for God but really struggle with forgiving others or getting along with them. Even though I understand that we may have been offended legitimately or perhaps dealing with a challenging character, the 4th verse of Hebrew 12 above says, we have not resisted unto the point of shedding blood.
Perhaps it's time we all start overlooking offences and start extending grace to others. Having a Christian-like attitude in small issues can encourage younger believers and attract unbelievers to Christ than preaching a sermon. Remember, we can do everything with the help of Christ who gives us the strength we need (Philippians 4:13). Don't let tiny little things like mosquitoes hinder you from doing God's will? The reward that awaits you in heaven is bigger than any sacrifice made now so keep running the race with perseverance looking up to Jesus, the author and finisher of your race. God bless You