I'll be stepping back a hundred or so years in time now from the era of the last inspirational I wrote of, Emily Chapman. Follow me back to the 19th century and meet an amazing man named George Muller with a passion to glorify God through orphan care. At the encouragement of a friend, I recently picked up a book about this godly saint (I don't know why I haven't done so sooner). I remembered bits and pieces of his life story from hearing John Piper's biography of him, but I have been awestruck in a fresh way since reading more about Muller lately. This amazing man was born in 1805, and though he lived recklessly and far apart from the Lord throughout his youth, God's will could not be stopped in this man. Muller came to Christ in adulthood and began to fervently preach the grand truths he had found in Scripture, even though many ministers around him were serving fluff to their own congregations. Later in his life, Muller was impressed with a burden to serve orphans and set about establishing several orphan homes over the next many years. John Piper's research shows that Muller cared for over 10,024 orphans throughout his lifetime. All this from one man who hadn't even cared about the Lord twenty years prior. How much more should this inspire those of us who are Christians now to be busy about the work of the Lord?
The most incredible part of Muller's ministry to orphans was his unwavering commitment to trust in the Lord to meet financial needs. He never asked for money from anyone, though he was always in need of it. Many times meals were provided just as the orphans were sitting down to eat, and financial support came in at the very moment Muller was on his knees praying for it. Never did he have a need that was not met by the Lord. In reading about Muller, I have been so impressed by his total reliance on and trust in the Lord for every piece of life, whether big or small. God provided Muller with thousands of dollars to build new orphan homes when the old ones had been outgrown, but He also provided him with an extra loaf of bread for a mealtime or a few extra coins to pay off the last little bit of a bill. God was always faithful to provide Muller with every thing he needed to continue in His work, just by using His servant's prayers.
What is also amazing about Muller was the purpose of his ministry to the orphans. Basil Miller, in his book George Muller, writes that Muller "exercised faith and proclaimed that the work undertaken was not particularly to feed the orphans, as great as this was, nor for their spiritual welfare as glorious and blessed as this is. 'The primary object of the work is,' he observed, 'to show before the whole world...that even in these last evil days the living God is ready to prove Himself as the living God, by being ever willing to help...and answer the prayers of those who trust in Him'" (p. 59). What an amazing statement and an incredible inspiration to those of us who would like to be involved in ministry to orphans! I am challenged by his words and know that the philosophy he expresses in them will have a shaping effect on my own plans to show hope to orphans. The goal of my own work, as Muller has reminded me a century ago, must not be solely to feed and clothe the fatherless, even though that is wonderful work. As I do that, may I have Muller's passion to above all glorify the Lord and Savior and point others to His power and majesty as He chooses to work through my lesser efforts. Oh, may people someday see anything I have done to care for orphans or advocate for the needy and not say "she is a wonderful humanitarian," but rather, may they stand in awe of the God to whom my efforts are directed and may my own image fall away as they consider the greatness of the Father to the Fatherless. Let us all strive to have this passion and focus in whatever ministries or works for the Lord which we are involved in. May God raise up a new generation of George Mullers!
photo from Wheaton College archives: http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/treasure/tr98/1898talk.htm
4 comments:
Oh I'm so glad to find someone else who shares my burden and passion!! Keep pressing on in it for Christ!! I love your blog and will add it to my list! :)
God bless and thanks for posting on mine!!
Thanks for posting on Muller. My grandparents were also inspired by his faith and life work. They started an orphanage in Argentina and housed up to thirty-three children. They raised nine of their own on the same plot of land. The orphanage continues today under different directors. My grandfather recently returned to build a playground set for the children. Some of the orphans still keep in contact with them!
I believe it is so beautiful that you have this passion! What a blessing from God. Keep using it for Him!
Hi Vanessa!
That is so neat that your grandparents were involved in orphan care ministry and started their own orphanage. I am sure they were a blessing to the many children they served! If you'd ever like to tell more of their story and have me post it on my blog, I'd love to do so. If you are interested, you can either write it up in a comment and I can try to copy and paste it into a new post, or you can just email Abbie and she could give you my email address (I'd rather not share it here just because I don't know who's reading!)Anyhow, it was great to hear a little bit about your grandparents' legacy and life work. How neat! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Molly!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I am glad you enjoy it. It's so much fun for me to get to write about something I love so much! I'm praying God uses it to give more teens and young adults a glimpse into the beautiful picture of caring for orphans. Soli Deo Gloria!
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