REJOICE IN THE LORD (part 5): John Wesley and the Monrovians
“In Robert Liardon’s book God’s Generals- The Revivalist, he narrated how the faith of the Monrovians shaped the faith of John Wesley. “John Wesley was traveling with some Monrovians on the high seas. In the tumultuous storm, he realised the Monrovians were holding hands and praising God. He even noticed some English passengers panicking and crying out in terror. Never had John seen one person, let alone an entire group of men, women and children who were unafraid to die. John decided to try and model their example of how fearing God meant fearing nothing else in life. At the same time, however, he realised that these people had something from God that he lacked and it was something he desperately wanted. Subsequent events proved John Wesley wanted what the Monrovians had: joy in the heart. Ashamed of his unbelieve and faithlessness, John asked Peter Bohler, “should I stop preaching until I have faith”? Peter replied “Preach faith until you have it; and then because you have it, you will preach faith.” page 40-51.
The Monrovians had what young Wesley didn’t have; an inner peace by trusting in Jesus. God’s clarion call to all is for us to have joy. Joyfulness brings peace to the heart. The experience with the Monrovians led him to a deeper reflection about his own faith in God. Through that self-reflection, John started looking for answers in scriptures. His Aldersgate experience wouldn’t have happened that fast without being challenged by the faith of the Monrovians during the storms. God is using your storms to shape the faith of someone that you have not even met before. You may see it as just a “difficult moment” but trust me it is part of God’s grand plan to bring healing and peace to another person. Don’t despise the storm.
Source: excerpt from my book THE POWER OF JOY (page 26)
