Daily Topic for July 22, 2011
Many scholars have identified this verse as part of an early Christian hymn or liturgy. This hymn is a good example of the missionary emphasis found throughout the worship of the early Church: Christ was preached among the nations. How clearly can we see God’s missionary heart in the worship of our churches today?
Pray that our Gracious Lord will give us a clearer vision of Himself as the Missionary God to those like the Enshi Miao people. Pray that our worship will reflect His character and concerns.
by LR
Boom, boom, boom! Li smiled with excitement as the drums thundered. Dressed in the traditional way, she was ready for the small gathering of Enshi Miaos that would celebrate their cultural heritage. There is a growing interest within the community to learn about their roots. For many years a large number of the Enshi Miao people have lived as a minority group in Sichuan Province. Fewer have remained in their homeland of Enshi County located in Hubei Province. Statistics indicate that about 626,000 Enshi Miao people remain who can be identified with this group. Many of their customs and even their traditional language have been swallowed up by the great tide of the Han Chinese culture. Their traditional animistic beliefs have all but vanished, leaving most Enshi Miaos uninterested in religion altogether. All that now distinguishes them as a separate group is their unique cultural roots. In a remote township, Li’s grandmother held a crucifix and prayed. She is in a smaller minority group; just a few hundred believers remain among their people. Few Christians have shown concern for the Miao’s spiritual development. There is no Enshi Miao Scripture, no tracts, no JESUS Film, and no evangelization efforts to tell this people group about the saving knowledge of Christ.
Learn more at joshuaproject.net
Pray that the Enshi Miao’s search into their past will reveal evidence of the loving God who wants them for His own. Pray that the King of Nations will reveal to them His purpose for their lives.