A view from Signal Hill
Frank Laubach trudged up Signal Hill again, despair shrouding his heart. After patient waiting and great effort he’d reached an impasse, with no path forward toward success.
Frank had spent seven years earning college and seminary degrees, married Effa Seely in 1912, and together they’d sought to follow God’s plan and become missionaries.
In 1915 the couple traveled to the Philippines, eager to work with the Muslim Moro people on Mindanao.
Mindanao is the large island to the south among the Philippines.
But just a few weeks after their arrival, the U.S. Army post commander stationed there required them to leave, insisting the area was too dangerous for Christians.
First they moved to north Mindanao, and ministered among the people there. In 1922, Frank and Effa moved their growing family to Manila where Frank became dean of Union College and established churches.
Surely he could take satisfaction in these accomplishments. But his heart’s desire was still set on working among the Moros.
Nearly eight years later, the trouble in southern Mindanao finally subsided. Frank left his family in Manila and returned, only to be rejected wherever he went. No one would listen to Frank, and after a month he had to admit defeat.
Moro people of Mindanao
One evening atop Signal Hill, Frank poured out his heart to God again and asked, “Why have my efforts failed?”
And this time God answered, identifying the problem. Frank saw the Moro people only as potential converts to Christianity, not as people to love.
“You feel superior to them because you are white,” God said. “If you can forget you are an American and think only how I love them, they will respond.”
The truth compelled Frank to pray, “Drive me out of myself, Lord. Come and take possession of me and think your thoughts in my mind.”
God then revealed his course of action for Frank. “If you want the Moros to be fair to your faith, be fair to theirs. Study the Koran with them.”*
The next day Frank told the Moro priests he wanted to study the Koran. Eagerly they talked with him, and Frank began to build relationships with these men, sharing the good news about the great prophet they already knew: Jesus.
Most of the Moro people couldn’t read. Frank knew that literacy would be important for teaching about Christ, so he worked to provide a dictionary of their language, Maranaw, and established a school. The Moros expressed enthusiastic gratitude.
Frank procured a printing press and devised an adult literacy program that proved highly successful. But as the Great Depression reached the Philippines, the program seemed destined to collapse. How would they pay for materials?
Frank’s solution: “Each One Teach One.” Everyone who learned to read was urged to teach someone else, using the materials they had. And as Frank taught, he shared about Christ.
Over the ensuing years, Frank wrote books about his teaching methods which were adopted around the world. An estimated sixty million people have learned to read, thanks to Frank’s techniques.
But more important are the thousands of people he brought into a rich experience with God——through his other writings.
For Frank, that night on Signal Hill was the beginning of growing intimacy with God, revealed in his subsequent journal entries, articles, and books.
One habit in particular transformed his life. Like Brother Lawrence three centuries before, Frank sought to live moment by moment in relationship with God.
Frank’s Letters by a Modern Mystic trace the beginning of this journey toward intimacy.
“I resolved that I would succeed better this year with my experiment of filling every minute full of the thought of God than I succeeded last year” (1-3-1930).
“This year I have started out trying to live all my waking moments in conscious listening to the inner voice, asking without ceasing, ’What, Father, do you desire said? What, Father, do you desire done this minute’” (1-20-1930)?
“It is exactly that ‘moment by moment,’ every waking moment, surrender, responsiveness, obedience, sensitiveness, pliability, ’lost in His love,’ that I now have the mind-bent to explore with all my might” (1-26-1930).
So began his life-long practice of constant, blessed connection with his heavenly Father, which he eagerly desired for others.
https://www.azquotes.com/quote/803882
“Why do I harp on this inner experience? Because I feel convinced that for me and for you who read there lie ahead undiscovered continents of spiritual living compared with which we are infants in arms” (Frank Laubach, 1884-1970).
And what will result from such a pursuit? No doubt we’ll experience a level of shalom in the presence of God that for now we can only imagine.
Let’s explore! Next week we’ll consider Frank’s suggestions that will take us to those “continents of spiritual living!”
*https://www.ananda.org/blog/laubach-christian-literacy-god/
Additional Sources:
https://www.jcsvillage.org/blog/2017/3/23/frank-laubachs-great-experiment
https://renovare.org/articles/living-each-moment-with-a-sense-of-gods-presence-frank-laubach
Image credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.azquotes.com.
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My husband and I agreed to read the book of Morman with a couple of young Morman missionaries we met when we were living in the Philippines. We agreed to read the book of Morman if they would read the Gospel of John. We then met and had many discussions. Sadly, after a few months they told us their supervisor told them they could no longer meet with us. It was always our hope that reading the Gospel of John would someday lead them to the truth.
I pray so also, Barb. No doubt you’re familiar with Isaiah 55:11 about God’s word not returning to him empty, that it will accomplish what he desires and achieve the purpose for which he sent it. I think that verse applies in circumstances just like this!
Oh, what an inspiring journey Frank embarked upon, Nancy! The good news is, we can all seek that intimate relationship with God when we spend time to listen to Him and to love others, seeing them not as different from us, but created in God’s image just like we are. I’m certainly looking forward to hearing more about this missionary’s life. And I never knew where that phrase “Each One, Teach One” originated before now. Thanks for enlightening me today. Blessings, and have a great Independence Day!
Thank you, Martha. We have much to celebrate in this great country of ours! / I think Frank Laubach would have agreed with C. S. Lewis about “further up and further in.” We will never reach the end of experiencing God in higher, deeper ways, as we avail ourselves of the opportunities to do so!
Frank Laubach was driven to do God’s will. His passion to connect with the Moro people until he did was totally amazing. One step at a time-and not his way. God’s way. Which pleased the Moro people very much! Thank you, Nancy, for sharing Frank’s story. 🙂
I’m so glad you found his story compelling, Nancy. He’s a wonderful role model for us all!
Sometimes our agendas, as good as they may be, get int he way of building loving relationships.
A most interesting story!
So true, Dwight. May we remain prayerful throughout our days that God guide our steps, including how best to minister to those around us.
Wow! Inspiring. To be consistently, each moment thinking of our relationship with God is a wonderful way to live surrendered to Him. Thank you for sharing, Nancy.
You’re most welcome, Manu. I too am thankful God introduced me to Frank (though now I can’t remember where). He sets a powerful example for us to follow!
Intentionally thinking about God every day. Wow!! Yes let’s do it
AMEN, Brenda! Just acknowledging his presence and submitting to him frequently throughout the day will be a good place for us to start.
Amen 🙏🏽
‘Drive me out of myself…’ – What a prayer!
Agreed, RH. That’s MY biggest problem–ME! But looking back I do see progress toward spiritual maturity from my younger days, and that gives me hope. We have the delight to progress”further up and further in” (as I mentioned to Martha above) for eternity!
I am so thankful that He still delivers us from ourselves.
“Undiscovered continents of spiritual living”. I like that phrase; almost like an adventure in waiting for those bold enough to seek it. These life stories you share would make for a powerful compilation – all in one book, all tied together by singular life-changing moments where God spoke.
YES–“adventure” is a perfect word for the development of intimacy with God! Each experience with him offers a thrill that nothing else can provide. / Thank you for the encouragement to compile the mini-biographies into a book. Others have recommended the same, and I’m actually working bit by bit on the project. I have to accomplish some steps before contacting a publisher and/or agent. Also, I want to make it more interactive by including related scriptures for each person and introspective questions. I’d appreciate your prayers, Dave, as I work toward this goal!
I so agree with David, Nancy—these stories would make a great book! 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement, Katie!
How I deeply appreciate Frank’s honest connection with the Lord to learn about needing to love them as Jesus loved the Moro people. How often do I get caught up in thinking it’s my offering of truth that matters when all I need to do is be a conduit of His love? I love the idea of Frank saying, “Drive me out of myself, Lord. Come and take possession of me and think Your thoughts in my mind.” What a humble response to our almighty God. It truly is a moment-by-moment lifestyle of giving ourselves over to Him. This was truly inspiring, Nancy. Thanks so much.
Thank you, Dayle. Praise God you found inspiration here.I too was taken by that prayer of Frank’s. We can’t fully experience God’s presence without humility and submission. Like the father who told Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief,” I have to say, “I want to be humble and submissive, Lord; help me put aside all pride and self-will!”
This was deeply inspiring, Nancy. Letting go and letting God sounds easy enough, but it ain’t necessarily so. Those who know the Lord best and serve him most faithfully and most successfully have learned to take themselves out of a picture. Thank you for another great post!
God Bless.
Praise God you found inspiration here, David. I couldn’t agree with you more: consistently letting go and letting God is a challenge. Frank Laubach offers another example we can follow.
So much to learn from Laubach’s example. Thanks for sharing his story, Nancy.
You’re so right, Linda! We’ll delve into part of his legacy next week, but no doubt it would take weeks (maybe months) to absorb all the understanding he acquired and all the worthy habits he established! Thank you for reading, my friend.
An amazing story.
I thought so too, Anna!
Nancy,
If people don’t feel you love them, you won’t get very far. The Lord always starts there. Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Well said, Gary!
Dear Nancy, thank you for this vivid reminder to make love our aim. Trusting in the Spirit to do His work in the lives of those we interact with, reach out to, takes the pressure off to ‘target’ people.
May we have the compassion of Jesus.
You’re so right, Linda. Prayerful compassion will greatly impact our interactions with others–not only for their benefit but for the benefit of our souls as well.
The Lord first allowed Frank to go to Mindanao to teach him that he was truly not ready to serve there. Subsequently, he returned after learning the lesson to “Drive me out of myself, Lord. Come and take possession of me and think your thoughts in my mind.” By changing his attitude Frank was able to return and succeed far beyond his expectations of sharing the Gospel, including journal entries, articles, schools, dictionaries, and books! We must constantly fill our minds with Christ to know exactly what He expects of us and how to best accomplish His will. This is a good lesson for me; to have a more intimate connection with my Savior.
For sure, constantly filling our minds with Christ will impact all aspects of our lives, including wisdom, discernment, and intimacy with him. May we seek him more diligently day by day!
Wow, Nancy how fascinating that God himself told him to read the Quran to form a deeper relationship with people. I think that Christians sometimes act scared of reading other religious texts as if they are going to convert against their will. But the truth is that reading other religious texts has only sharpened my interpretation of the Bible.
I’ve heard the same advice given, Stacey. It may be that a new believer in Christ who doesn’t know his/her Bible very well yet, may be led astray by writings of another religion. But I’ve not actually known a person to whom that has happened. I’m glad that for you such study has offered benefit!
Nancy—I have been listening to podcasts featuring Jamie Winship, and his wife Donna–and I can’t believe how similar the concepts are to what I’m reading here. They also have working among Muslim people groups. Just fascinating! I especially appreciate this quote: “It is exactly that ‘moment by moment,’ every waking moment, surrender, responsiveness, obedience, sensitiveness, pliability, ’lost in His love,’ that I now have the mind-bent to explore with all my might. Thank you so much!!
I agree–that statement of Frank Laubach is highly inspiring. I’ve copied it and put it in my prayer box for a daily reminder. We can explore together!
Yes! Let’s. 🙂