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The text here is a partially transcribed excerpt from a message spoken  by Dr. Ravi Zacharias.  The entirety of the message can be found at www.rzim.org.

David Livingstone was born in Blantyre Scotland in 1813.  He was born into a home where his father used to put him on his knee and read to him stories of great missionary exploits.  One particularly, Karl Gutzlaff, the Dutch Missionary, who doubled up as a medical missionary too.  And young David used to look into his father’s eyes and say: "you know daddy, one day I’m going to be a man like that.  I want to be a missionary, I want to be a doctor, I want to serve God."

So David Livingstone, in his young life, got on his knees one day, and he prayed this prayer… he said: "Send me anywhere, only go with me.  Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.  Sever any ties but the ties that bind me to Your service and to Your heart."  And he said through it all the words of God came to me: "Lo, I’m with you always, even to the end of the age."

He packed his bags and he went off to Africa.  And when he took one glimpse of Africa from a distance he penned, in his journal, these words.  "The haunting specter of the smoke of a thousand villages in the morning sun has burned within my heart." "The haunting specter of the smoke of a thousand villages in the morning sun has burned within my heart."

He married a woman of the famous Moffat family, Mary was her name.  Her father had been a great missionary.  But David Livingstone’s life was one of an explorer, and he would move from place to place and his only goal was Jesus in the hearts and lives of men and women, thousands of them.  Finally, his wife and his young family couldn’t keep up with him anymore.  Some of his children were dying out of sickness and disease and he said: Mary, why don’t you take them back home and I will see you shortly and spend some more time with you.  It’s too dangerous for us to go on.

So he sent his dear wife Mary back home and letters would take months to exchange but some of the fondest letters of love and romance were exchanged between he and Mary, and do you  know when he saw her the next time?  Not five weeks, not five months, five years…

Please watch the video for the rest of the story…

Song by CT Studd — Missionary to China, India, and Africa, after hearing this quote by David Livingstone: "Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all";
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.