HOW CAN I HELP THAT SOUL ON THE ROAD TO THE HEAVENLY CANAAN?
By Robert S. Greaves
There are a great many people in the world who are sighing and longing for an opportunity to do missionary work for the Master, whose hearts are craving for active work, yet unknowingly grand opportunities are passing them by many times each day, without being taken advantage of. They may see the result of consecrated work done by some brother or sister, in bringing a troubled and weary soul near to Jesus, and their hearts may grow very tender as they behold the penitent confessing his sins, and pleading with the newly-found Saviour; and they think how fortunate the brother was to happen to meet with the repentant sinner who wanted to be saved. With yearning hearts they may think how willingly they themselves would have sacrificed to be able to bring a similar soul to the throne of mercy, to be able to save a soul from death. Brethren, would we not all like this privilege? Then why do we sit down and wait for some poor wanderer to come to us? Perhaps it is because we do this that so many of us have to wait so long a time. People are often very sensitive on this point; and tho the Spirit of God may be earnestly striving within them, yet outwardly they show only a cold reserve. The world seems to hold them in its thrall, and perhaps in spite of knowledge they may have decided to run in the old rut to the end of their lives. The battle-cry is sounding; let us gird on the whole armor of God, and in His strength invade the enemy’s ground. Let us search, earnestly search, for lost souls, who are his captives, and not wait until they come to us to be rescued. Can we but gain one, our life will not have been spent in vain; for we shall have gained something of more value than all the world. Do not let us sit pining and regretting that we can not go into some foreign mission field, or be a minister of the Gospel; but let us ever be on the watch, and the first unconverted person we come in contact with, whether in the house, on the street, or on the prairie, remember that there is a poor mortal soul, and let the language of our hearts always be, “How can I help that soul on the road to the heavenly Canaan?” The right opportunity may not always occur for us to speak of what is nearest to our heart, so let us lift our spirit in earnest prayer to the One who is able and willing to guide us (James 1:5); and if it is best not to speak at the moment, we can be kind and courteous. Even a bright smile will sometimes go further than we think, and in this way we can witness for Jesus. Keep ever on the watch, and many golden opportunities will be gained, and turned to the glory of God’s name, that are now lost and will so remain until brought up at the judgment and registered against those who have wasted them.