When you are a part of The Lulu Tree for years, since the beginning of its formation, a mystery takes place in your spirit. The people, the faces, the growth all become personal as the mystery of an attachment begins to root deeply in your heart.
A sense of family begins to develop and with that, a longing to meet these brothers and sisters in the Lord starts nudging within us.
But are we all to go? This is the question I found myself asking the Lord in recent weeks. In His faithfulness, He began to give an answer through an email which delivered the story of William Carey and Andrew Fuller. Let me share:
In the late 18th century, Carey, a shoemaker turned small town preacher, began to preach that it is the duty of all Christians to reach other nations and cultures with the Gospel. Â This was a radical perspective not shared by his fellow Baptists at the time. Â Nevertheless, Carey began to influence others and in 1792 the Baptist Missionary Society was formed.
The next year, William Carey was commissioned to go to India. Â Upon agreeing to travel to India, Carey made an important remark to his good friend and president of the Baptist Missionary Society, Andrew Fuller.
“I will go down,” Carey said, “if you will hold the rope.”
Andrew Fuller spent the next 21 years of his life “holding the rope” for Carey and other missionaries. Â He wrote letters, raised funds, and sent encouragement to those serving on the front lines. Â There is no doubt Fuller’s work was every bit as essential as the work of Carey in reaching the lost. Â If Fuller did not stay home and hold the rope, Carey could not do the work abroad.
(from an email sent to me)
There are those who will surely be called to go. But there are those of us who will be called to stay. We will be called to sacrifice going and to love from afar.
We’re called to hold the rope.
To be here praying faithfully, giving generously and in so doing, God does the work through those who go. It may even be a painful sacrifice to stay behind.
Whether God calls us to go or to hold the rope, we are to be obedient to the call.
Recently God confirmed His call for me to “hold the rope”. I have begged Him to let me go “just one time” but His response has been, “Sacrifice and love without seeing. Hold the rope.”
May we all come to know our parts are each needed and equally vital. There is a joy which comes from obedience and being in the place God has purposed.
Sacrifice does not come easy. It is painful. Our Lord surely suffered in obedience as He went to the Cross for each of our lives. May we be willing to do the same.
“Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11, NLT).
May we all seek God to confirm our roles and surrender completely to His will.
Then may we watch Him do a marvelous work of drawing His people to Himself.
We would be honored to have you join us in “holding the rope”. You can see the many opportunities HERE.
You can also follow The Lulu Tree on Facebook and Twitter {links provided}.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Let’s Have Coffee and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .
The partnership between those who go and those who hold the rope is just that – a partnership. Both partners are equally important. Blessings to you, Joanne! Keep holding that rope!
It was a question I wrestled with for quite a long time. I was so grateful for the way God brought about the answer – His answer. Thank you, Laurie, for encouraging me. Praying I will be faithful and not let go! May we all do our part.
‘Hold the rope’ … these three words can give our lives fresh purpose when we think that we’re not being effective or that we missed the boat or that we’re missing out.
Joanne, thank you. This is helpful …
Linda, I so appreciated your comment. It is true that we can have those three concerns. As we lean in to God for wisdom and direction, He will come and breathe His truth into our souls. His desire is for each of our lives to bear fruit – to His glory. Blessings!
Joanne, I love the analogy of those who go down and those who hold the rope. I’ve been on both ends of the rope, but primarily on the holding end of it. We must remember that this side of missions work is no less valid than the work of those who are sent.
Thanks for that reminder today.
Jeanne, we truly need the reminder. Now to faithfully do what He calls us to do. Blessings, friend!
Joanne, thank you.
This post is immensely helpful to me.
I am to start a prayer group within my church, holding the rope for those on the mission field in S.E.Asia, where we have church plants and where my daughter is a missionary.
I am also a member of the Lulu Tree family and love that connectiong passionatley, and praying for its work and for you and Mama Emily and Pastor Sonnel.
Holding the rope is certainly my call from God in my last years!!
I can think of no higher calling.
God Bless you, beautiful lady. xx
Mary, I am so grateful God crossed our paths through the internet. You are such an encouragement and truly one who holds the rope. I am privileged to call you my friend for you are a light showing us how to come alongside of others. You are the blessing, Mary! xo
I went once. In 1999 to Cuba and learned I am called to be a rope holder. I have great peace about that and love to support missions. And, pray. Good post, J.
Susan, it’s amazing that in going, you discovered your true part in serving God and others. So glad you shared!
Joanne, as one who has served overseas for 25+ years, I know from first hand experience how important all the rope-holders back at home are. Thank you for all you do, friend.
Betsy, I so appreciate your comment and for affirming every rope-holder. May we all be faithful to do what He has called us to do. For His glory and to the saving of many.
I love this image of holding the rope and how it highlights the importance of work that may go unseen. The behind-the-scenes roles are often where it goes unnoticed but they provide such a crucial contribution when we work as a team.