I care not where I go, or how I live, or what I endure so that I may save souls. When I sleep I dream of them; when I awake they are first in my thoughts…no amount of scholastic attainment, of able and profound exposition of brilliant and stirring eloquence can atone for the absence of a deep impassioned sympathetic love for human souls.
— David Brainerd (1718–1747), Missionar
Topics: Service & Love of Neighbour, Witness & Mission, Love
Occasions: For Reflection
David Brainerd
David Brainerd (1718–1747) war ein presbyterianischer Missionar in den britischen Kolonien Nordamerikas, der im Umfeld des Ersten Großen Erwachens unter indigenen Völkern wirkte. Bekannt wurde er durch seine postum von Jonathan Edwards herausgegebenen Tagebücher, die von kompromissloser Hingabe, intensivem Gebet, aber auch von schwerer Melancholie und körperlichen Entbehrungen zeugen. Heutigen Bibellesern verdeutlicht sein kurzes Leben die Bereitschaft zum Dienst trotz psychischer Krisen und körperlicher Hinfälligkeit.
All quotes by David Brainerd (10)
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
In our own woundedness, we can become sources of life for others.
Henri Nouwen
There are two ways to do good: to give and to forgive.
Augustine of Hippo
The world consists of nothing but opportunities for love.
Søren Kierkegaard
We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
Frederick Buechner
Etty Hillesum