“Emotional appeals at missionary conventions fill the mission field with emotional missionaries.” Such was the warning that a senior missionary gave me as she encouraged me to call upon people to give up their small ambitions and go overseas with the gospel. While many messages may move us to volunteer, only the gospel will move us to respond appropriately.
One of the great advances of the twentieth century was the availability of cheap photography. In the wealthy and digital 21st century, photography’s appeal has lessened somewhat as international travel is so cheap and anybody can now photograph anything, anytime with their phone. In the 20th century the missionaries for the first time brought to us photographs of strange, exotic, impoverished, war torn lands. We could see the people our missionaries were caring for and the difference and difficulty of their lives. It was a powerful engagement with the world and motivation to go and help.
But what is a picture worth? It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and in motivational value that may well be true. The sense of understanding for yourself and the wellspring of concern for the other person are heightened by seeing their plight presented photographically as if you were an eyewitness. But motivating people by a photograph of others’ poverty is not the same as motivating them by the gospel.
The value and worth of pictures is deceptive. Most art galleries place titles, descriptions and explanations of the pictures that hang on their walls. Many provide booklets and audio commentary so that the viewer can understand what they are looking at. The paintings are often not self-explanatory but require words for people to appreciate them. Keep reading
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