As Paul finishes his letter to Titus I’m reminded of all of the brave men and women who have gone to the far corners of the earth to spread the message of the gospel. A century ago, a band of brave souls became known as one-way missionaries. They purchased single tickets to the mission field without the return half. And instead of suitcases, they packed their few earthly belongings into coffins. As they sailed out of port, they waved good-bye to everyone they loved, everything they knew.
They knew upon leaving that they may never return home. A.W. Milne was one of those missionaries. He set sail for the New Hebrides in the South Pacific, knowing full well that the headhunters who lived there had martyred every missionary before him. Milne did not fear for his life, because he had already died to himself. His coffin was packed. For thirty-five years, he lived among that tribe and loved them. When he died, tribe members buried him in the middle of their village and inscribed this epitaph on his tombstone:
“When he came there was no light, when he left there was no darkness.”
When did we start believing that God only sends us to safe places to do easy things? That faithfulness is holding the fort? That playing it safe is safe? That there is any greater privilege than sacrifice? That radical is anything but normal?
The closing words of Titus remind us of the fundamental truths of ministry, they are an open window to the though processes of the first generation apostles who shared the message of the gospel with conviction and confidence.
