Daily Devotion

“Some people gossip about me privately, criticizing my abandonment of comfortable life and possessions in England, even forgoing my missionary salary, calling it foolish fanaticism. But they don't understand that all my possessions belong to my Lord. If I can exchange these perishable riches for the eternal crown of life for Chinese girls, it's the most worthwhile thing in the world. To be spent for Christ is the greatest romance of my life.”

Mary Ann Aldersey · "A Pioneer of Chinese Women: The Life of Mary Ann Oldsey"

Scripture

Philippians 3:7-8 But whatever I considered gain to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Moreover, I consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost all things; I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Reflection

Edison's missionary confession and the Apostle Paul's life account resonate deeply, profoundly moving the reader. In the eyes of the world, abandoning comfortable possessions and forgoing a salary is "foolish fanaticism"; but on the scales of the Kingdom of Heaven, all things treasured by the world are nothing more than "perishable wealth" and "dung." True wisdom lies in recognizing what truly constitutes an eternal and indestructible crown. When we completely surrender our lives and exhaust ourselves for the Lord, what may seem like a tremendous sacrifice is in fact the greatest gain. This is not asceticism, but a willing, joyful, and romantic journey undertaken after recognizing the supreme treasure of Christ.