John G. Paton (1824-1907) was a pioneering missionary who worked in an area that was inhabited by cannibals. The depth of his commitment to Christ was demonstrated by his reply to what an elderly acquaintance said to him as he was making preparations to leave for the field. His friend expressed a fear that Paton might be eaten by cannibals.

Paton responded, “Mr. Dixon, you are advanced in years now, and your prospect is to be soon laid in the grave and to be eaten by worms. I confess to you that if I can but live and die serving the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by cannibals or worms.”

That’s a great example of what Paul meant when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Live life to the full today.

Tags: cannibal, death, life, missionary