Why missions?
The other morning I was having a great time with the Lord and while listening to Driven By Love by Lindy Conant and The Circuit Riders (youtube video added at the bottom of the page), I imagined someone asking me …
“What got you into missions?”
My hearts first response to this question is always “Jesus” but during my worship time at home a much deeper response came upon me. When I heard this question my heart automatically replied …
“When you drop the fear of sharing Jesus as God, letting go of everything that holds you back, the Holy Spirit responds. He responds in such a way that does not only affect the one hearing about Him in that moment but also the one sharing His love. Barriers are broken, walls are destroyed allowing freedom to finally be able to enter. When we really know Him- and I mean REALLY know Him – His whole being should captivate us in such a way that we can’t help but reach higher in our attempts to evangelise and disciple others. This is why I chose to obey Jesus calling me into missions.”
I am so thankful for God’s mercy and grace in my life. It’s incredible. I have failed (and continue to) over and over again but His forgiveness and love has always washed over my failures, my inabilities and heartache.
My mission life may look different than others. Some may not really understand the importance of communications in missions (I know I once struggled with seeing it as inadequate as other roles in missions until Jesus renewed my mind and changed my worldview) and I have learnt that it is not my job to make people understand, but that it is my job to communicate my best, relying on the Holy Spirits direction that is lead by peace and understanding between Him and I. My role as a Christian is not to convince people, but to simply obey and let Him do the convincing. It’s the same in all areas in our lives, whether we are living abroad doing missions or are living our lives in our hometowns/countries witnessing to those around us – both believers and unbelievers alike. We need to give Him space to work in others as we are called to partner with Him in HIS work and not be living in a way of making it our own work that He is invited to. Let us walk out in obedience, loving one another – being lead by His Spirit first and foremost – leaving our time frames and ideas aside so that He can renew us and be fully at work in us and around us. What an HONOUR to be chosen as His children to be a part of His ongoing love for those around us enabling us to feed the hungry, both spiritually and physically.
Something in the answer the Lord gave me that day has really tugged on my heart recently. I have spent months just being driven towards the word and act of “discipleship”. His word tell us to “go and make disciples of all nations” – (Matthew 28:19 ) and I believe we are forgetting the importance of discipleship. Discipleship takes time and makes relationships personal. Our God is a personal and creative God who has gifted us with so many ways on how to connect with people. I have met so many Christians suffering in their relationships with one another and their churches due to a lack of discipleship. It hurts my heart to witness it.
So many of us are so hungry for an Godly authentic relationship with one another that has healthy constructive two way communication. I have talked to SO many struggling in this area, who all have a hearts cry to be adopted by other Christians who will come and support them in different ways just as a simple encouragement. So many don’t get replies when they send out messages and it crushes them and leaves them asking many questions. What good is evangelism if we end up just leaving these newborn babies out without anyone to teach them how to eat, walk, talk and to show/teach them what true value is. Evangelism and discipleship should both be priorities and should go together and if we are doing it right as Christ’s body, why do so many of us feel alone? God has really been teaching me a lot on the subject and I have been drawing nearer to some of my friends who I know are suffering, in hopes to bring them up and encourage them in knowing that they are not alone.
Take every opportunity friends to share God’s love and what He has done in your life but be first aware of His Spirit and His peaceful leading in all situations. Let us always be there to lift each other up as the Body of Christ as well – allowing us to learn from one another through a sincere loving discipleship with each other.
Would you pray for those who struggle in this area with me?
