I know a man who had a thriving medical practice and outwardly had everything going for him. Inwardly he was conflicted for he felt God wanted him to use his abilities in service to Him. Ultimately he sold his medical practice and started a ministry of both medical people as well as any Christians willing to go on 2-4 week trips through Siberia to bring medical help and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who had never heard the Word.

I know a couple who owned a very successful business. They lived in an extremely nice home and wanted for nothing materially. After the last child graduated from High School, they sold their business and home and used the proceeds to move to the Philippians to labor among the poorest of the poor, sharing with them the love and message of Jesus Christ.

I know a highly educated woman who could have gotten a high paying anywhere. Instead of pursuing a path that would have led to worldly success and material wealth, she moved to southern Arizona so she and her husband could minister to the thousands of homeless and hungry people who have fallen through the cracks of our social welfare system.

I know a family who has devoted their lives to living among and ministering to those no one else cares about along the Rio Grande River in Texas. They face daily peril as they minister in areas rife with violence and among people literally living in the shadow of death.

I know a woman who gave up a well paying job as a highly skilled nurse to start a relief agency after Hurricane Katrina. To this day, she still gives all of her time and money to helping others recover and learn how to become self reliant without taking a penny of salary for herself.

I do not know just one man or woman that I would say is the most unselfish person I have ever met, I know many of them. My heart is filled with thanksgiving for being surrounded over the years with so great a cloud of witnesses; men and women willing to sacrifice their lives in service to God and Jesus Christ. Each one of the remarkable people I hold in the highest of esteem and count them as my heroes.

My heart is filled with humility and unworthiness as I think of these magnificent witnesses of love, unselfishness and service. My heart is filled with heaviness as I regret that I was not strong enough to follow in their steps down the road to utter unselfishness and absolute giving.

I pray that each one of us takes the time to remember and pray for those who have chosen the path of personal sacrifice on behalf of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray all of us always lift those who labor in obscurity, live in poverty and serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all humility. I pray that we do all we can do to help and support those who have willingly given everything in this life to love others and show them the heart of Jesus Christ.

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