For my own part, I have never ceased to rejoice that God has appointed me to such an office. People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Is that a sacrifice which brings its own blest reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter? Away with the word sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger, now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.
— David Livingstone (1813–1873), Missionar, Entdecker
Topics: Discipleship, Service & Love of Neighbour, Joy & Gratitude
Occasions: For Reflection
David Livingstone
David Livingstone (1813–1873) war ein schottischer Arzt, protestantischer Missionar und Afrikaforscher, der im 19. Jahrhundert weite Teile des südlichen und zentralen Afrikas bereiste. Er wurde durch seinen Einsatz gegen den ostafrikanischen Sklavenhandel bekannt, gilt historisch jedoch zugleich als Wegbereiter des europäischen Kolonialismus und verzeichnete kaum direkte Bekehrungserfolge. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er vor allem als viel zitierte Symbolfigur für persönliche Hingabe und Ausdauer im christlichen Dienst.
All quotes by David Livingstone (11)
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
In a sense, learning to follow Jesus is simply learning to pray the Lord’s Prayer.
N.T. Wright
Being a Christian is not a 'do-it-yourself' affair.
Jerry Bridges
God has not called us to success, only to faithfulness.
Mother Teresa
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot
Do not be afraid of Christ. He demands nothing and he gives everything.
Pope Benedict XVI
A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent.
C.S. Lewis