We have heard and read about missionaries throughout the world, taking the Gospel to remote territories, facing hardships on the mission field, and becoming martyrs for their faith. We remember these men and women for being brave enough to take God’s Word where no one else dared to go. One such man is still honored today with a global holiday, distinctly known by the color green; a missionary to Ireland - St. Patrick, of course! Although the celebration of this man’s mission has become inappropriately secular, in his own country he is still widely remembered.

   Patrick was born in what is now known as Scotland in the year A.D. 373. He was the son of a deacon and grandson of a priest. When Patrick was about 16 years old, Irish raiders attacked and torched his little town and home. Upon being found hiding in the bushes, Patrick was seized and taken by ship as a slave to Ireland. It was there he gave his life to Jesus. He later wrote, “The Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God.”

   Eventually, Patrick escaped and returned home to his family. Soon after he had a dream; similar to Paul’s vision in Acts chapter 16. In his dream, an Irishman pleaded with him to return and evangelize Ireland. Patrick’s family had begged him to stay, so it was with much difficulty that he made the decision to return to his former captors with nothing but a Latin Bible in his hand. He was about 30 years old when he began to evangelize the Irish countryside. Although the superstitious Druids sought his death, multitudes followed him to listen to his powerful preaching. Patrick became one of the most fruitful evangelists of all time, planting about 200 churches and baptizing over 100,000 new believers. His work endured, and several centuries later, the Irish church was still producing hymns, sermons, and songs of worship. Although the words of this beloved hymn were not written by Patrick, it was set to the music of a traditional Irish folk song, “Slane” named after an area in Ireland where Patrick challenged the local Druids with the Gospel. Patrick’s vision was to seek the Lord with his whole heart, nothing else mattered. This is one of our oldest and beloved hymns:

“Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”

Suggested Prayer: Dear God, lead me and guide my steps to a place where your Word needs to be heard; That you alone be the vision of my heart. Give me the courage to share the Gospel wherever I may be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Matthew 28:19 (NIV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.