Discipleship & Life and Deathনমুনা

A true friend...

My phone screen lit up as a message came in: "Noeng drowned." And then the messages poured in: sadness, pain, bewilderment. The loss. "We are family" we often said - well we really are, and in that moment we felt that so much more.

I had just returned to the Netherlands with my family after living in Cambodia for 6 years - missionary work. We had met Noeng. We knew how he walked with his younger brother. He believed and wanted to follow Jesus. And now he was no longer there. Drowned.

Be inspired by this true story in this microCHALLENGE and let it be your example. What are you living for? What are you giving your life for?

Video Transcript:

"It is autumn 2020. The worst floods in about 15 years are hitting Cambodia. Crops are lost, houses and roads broken and dozens of people drown. Noeng - a Cambodian Alongsider - sees his friend hit the water. He knows his friend cannot swim and jumps after him. They are both taken by the water and Noeng keeps his friend above water. Others come to help and pull him out of the water. Noeng is also searched for and a little later he is found. Dead. After all, he couldn't swim either. He drowned. Noung gave his life to save his friend.

Life & Death.

For me, Noeng is an example of sacrificial living. Giving, keeping one's eye on Jesus and on others. What do you lay down your life for? Who may you be a "Noeng" for? Maybe quite literally, like Noeng, maybe less fiercely - but to whom are you reaching out? We challenge you to pray for that today and in the days ahead. Take the willingness of Noeng as your example.

Challenge accepted?"

Take the following questions to ponder:

• Are you, like Noeng, willing to give your life for another?
• For whom may you be a Noeng?

Prayer:

"Lord God, thank You for the testimony and example that comes from the life of Noeng. What a fierce story. I pray for Noeng's friend that his life may be for You and he would be a blessing to many people around him. He was not saved for nothing! I place Noeng's family and the young brother for whom he was Alongsider in Your hands. And I pray that I myself may be such a friend to others. Please give me courage when I sometimes encounter myself in this situation. Thank You that it is Your love that prompts and makes us willing to give of ourselves for others. Amen."