The Heart of a Servant Leader: Letters from Jack Miller

Thanks to the kind wishlist birthday gift from Steve Hart, I'm very much enjoying The Heart of a Servant Leader by Jack Miller. This book is a collection of letters that the now deceased Jack Miller (seminary professor, church planter, and founder of World Harvest Mission) wrote to various family members, friends, and co-workers.As I work my way through these letters I feel like I'm being personally counseled by Jack Miller. Below are a few excerpts from these letters that have especially encouraged and challenged me.From a letter to a missionary couple stationed in Uganda:"What I finally came to as I walked and prayed for you is the old, old story of getting the gospel clear in your own hearts and minds, making it clear to others, and doing it with only one motive--the glory of Christ."From a letter to a pastor preparing to go to Ireland to encourage a group of missionaries:"We secretly suspect that His will might be more demanding, more crucifying of our desires, than we can handle. But daily surrender to His will as you pray, and it will bring a freedom from anxiety that you cannot believe."Recently I was caught up in a spirit of anxiety. Nothing would shake it. But I simply gave myself to thanksgiving and praising God for everything I could think of. Result? As I increasingly gave Him the glory for all His great works, my faith recovered from its near death and I ended up walking on water and singing a song as I went."From a letter to a young missionary couple unsure of their future status as missionaries:"Let me counsel you...to pray much more. Pray and keep praying and then pray some more."From a letter to a young man just starting out in missionary work (so far, this is my favorite letter):"My second thought is to make sure you are enjoying yourself and not taking your work too seriously. You don't have anything to prove to us or to the world. The work is finished at Calvary, and that work alone has unlimited meaning and value. Keep your focus there. And then read Robert Ludlum and/or go on vacation.""Fourth, major in giving thanks for what has been accomplished and don't spend more than one-half hour looking at your sins. Keep the praise constant.""Fifth, do some evangelism with someone every week. Watch out for the saying, 'There is a lion in the streets, and therefore nothing can be done today.' Don't wait until it is perfect, just go."