“Missionary” is a title that immediately invokes a very
poignant image. It is a very positive
image for some—invoking pride and respect over a Missionary’s devotion to the
cause of Christ. Yet, to others it
invokes less positive images of a wasted life. What propels someone to endure
the sting and extreme cost of a life in a foreign culture for the sake of
Christ?
I think
simply the answer can be found in Matthew 28:19-20, what modern Christians call
“The Great Commission”. There is no question about the words of Jesus
here-He plainly says, “Go”. As followers
of Jesus, we should trust Him enough to obey His Word. I have many friends who were convinced enough
by the invitation in this verse and the promise Jesus will be with them (in
verse 20) that they leave everything and go to the “ends of the earth” to share
the Good News of Jesus.
However,
the lifestyle of a missionary is not easy.
The logistics of living in a culture foreign to your own requires great
work and effort. Coming from America, or
any Western nation provides an extra challenge as one fights to adjust to a
lifestyle much less extravagant and comfortable. People who move internationally go through
periods of culture shock, culture stress and language learning. Many brave such a venture for a job promotion
or a paycheck their company offers. Yet
others go, and navigate these hardships for less pay than they are used to,
simply out of devotion for Jesus. What
makes them walk out their initial “yes” to fulfill the Great Commission?
There
are joys along the journey. There is an
inexpressible joy in the eyes of people who have never heard the Gospel
before. A Missionary gets to watch their
friends go from the bondage of other religions into the life giving Truth
offered through the Cross. My friends
and I labor specifically among those unreached by the Gospel—that means a
population that is less than 2% Christian.
In such a context, a missionary gets to be the first to tell their
friends, neighbors and acquaintances about Jesus. Many around the world have never even heard
that name. Isn’t that shocking? Growing up in a nation that prides itself on
religious freedom, I was rocked when I first learned there were people out
there who didn’t even know the name of Jesus, much less the Message of the
Gospel. A Missionary gets the challenge
of enduring persecution and rejection by many around them to find the joy of
seeing some snatched from a certain destiny of Hell and brought into a
wonderful destiny of an eternity with Jesus.
A Missionary’s reward is not only in the life to come, but they get to
see the transforming power of The Gospel as their friends’ lifestyles change
through interaction with The Bible, and with God who speaks through prayer.
While
there are times of trails, struggles and loneliness, there are promises that
ring true while on the field. Jesus
promises to be with us! Missionaries get
the extreme pleasure of laboring along side what Jesus is doing in the hearts
of people around the world. John 4:35
declares that there is a harvest ready—right now! We do not need to wait, hearts are ready to
receive the Message right now! I realize
that not everyone is called to move internationally to the mission field (I
would say that more are called to go than are currently going though). Yet, Jesus is clear in Matthew that His
followers are to spread His Gospel even to the ends of the Earth. That leads me to say that those who do not
respond to The Great Commission by going must respond by giving to those who
are going. All throughout Paul’s
teachings he assures those who fund missionaries reap the reward of lives
touched. Philippians 4:17 is one such
instance where Paul says he is not seeking a gift from the church he was
writing to, but he seeks that fruit may abound to their account. I encourage you to link arms with a
missionary and walk alongside of them in their journey. Sow financial seeds into them and watch what
God does through them—and YOU in the nations.
Where your money is, there your heart is also (Matthew 6:21). Jesus’ heart is in the nations, among those
who have never heard about Him. I invite
you to put your heart in the same region!
You are called to fulfill The Great Commission, together
through partnership—we can answer that call in this generation!
