First a story. Anthony Norris Groves was one of the great missionaries in the 19th century, a gifted evangelist to the Muslims of Bagdad and father-in-law to George Müller, though he is largely forgotten today. He trained to be a dentist before he became overwhelmed with missionary zeal. Problem was, his wife didn’t want to go. Back in those days, you couldn’t try out missions for a year or two and come back if you didn’t like it. It was all or nothing. Most missionaries died early on the field.

Instead of forcing his wife Mary to go, he was patient with her. He pushed a little and she broke down. Not the time. Then she grew spiritually and the Spirit did the work. He pushed a little more, but the time did not yet come. Finally she burst into tears and committed to give all their possessions away and leave for Bagdad.