Recognizing God’s Claim on My Life

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.” –Matthew 28;19-20 (KJV).

I remember the time and place and my decision made there as a milestone and a very important affirmation in my spiritual life decisions.  The first had occurred when I was a child of nine and accepted Christ as my Savior in a summer revival at Choestoe Baptist Church, where I had been spiritually nurtured and taught to that point.  Another highlight came at Camp Pinnacle at Clayton, Georgia in the summer of 1948 (August) at a camp for what we then called Young Woman’s Auxiliary members, a missions group sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union.  I was there because I had been chosen by my peers and faculty advisor to be president of the College YWA at Truett McConnell College for the year 1948-1949.  We were at Camp Pinnacle to get inspiration and direction for our leadership roles in the coming year.  Added to the training were periods of inspiration when we were challenged to make a real difference and consider God’s claim on the direction of our life.

Miss Sarah Stephens, Youth Director for Georgia Woman’s Missionary Union at that time was our major leader for the encampment.  It was our last night.  We were gathered by the lake at Camp Pinnacle.  Miss Stephens, an excellent and challenging speaker, had made clear the needs of the world—far away and close at hand—and had given each of us a candle attached to a piece of wood.  If we would sincerely seek God’s claim on our life and follow His leadership, even if it meant going as a foreign missionary, we were invited to put our candle afloat on the Camp Pinnacle Lake and watch as they all floated out on the current, giving light in the darkness that surrounded us.  With great seriousness and a prayer in my heart, I dedicated my life to God’s purpose for it.  I was sincerely seeking to stay attuned and follow His leadership.  At that time, I could imagine getting prepared to go to some far-away land and take the good news of Jesus Christ to those who had not heard it before.

In the years immediately following, I did not lose sight of the candles on the water and the challenge through Miss Stephens from God that He had a claim on my life.  The great commission, as Matthew 28:19-20 is known, became a very vital part of my belief and followship pattern.  Step by step, from that point in the summer of 1948, God opened opportunities and challenges for more education, for directions my service should go.  As it turned out, the greater part of my working life was spent as a teacher and as the wife of a minister and director of missions in the mountain area—not far from the very geographic area where I grew up.  The vision of far-away lands and the needs there did not ever go out of my vision and my mind, but I was to be one of those who, as a noted missionary observed, “held the ropes” as others “descended into the mines.”  I was to challenge, teach, lead and counsel those of the mountain area to be aware that missions does not have a particular geography—but outreach and helping persons find God’s will and way can be at home or abroad.  Each area is important.  Wherever one is led are people who need to hear God’s Word and be challenged.

A lighted candle, mine, joined by several other lighted candles put afloat by those who were listening to a challenge to serve became a high point in my spiritual decision-making.  In the years since, I have been reminded again and again of the promise I made to God in the summer of 1948.  That decision remained with me and made a significant difference in my life and service to Him.  –Ethelene Dyer Jones  08.11.2013.