What is the purpose of a missionary? It’s a question I’ve wrested with ever since someone told me that I might just be one. I’m not sure the term fits perfectly just yet, but I’m still making some alterations. 🙂
Regardless, on August 9th, I plan on boarding a plane to start a journey around the world that will change my life. And I’ve begun to question…what is my purpose? What exactly am I trying to accomplish? How will I know if I reach my goal?
Ultimately…what is the purpose of a missionary?
I am not sure that I have landed on my answer just yet, but I do know that it has something to do with the Kingdom. Ever since I was a small child I went to bed praying the Lord’s Prayer. I don’t remember where I learned the words, but I do remember faithfully praying them every night before I went to sleep…
“Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Now give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
As I mull over the words of that prayer so many years later…words like “kingdom” and “on earth as it is in heaven” that were lost on that little girl’s pillow…have now taken residency in her heart.
I’ve been privileged to witness so many glimpses of the Kingdom…here on earth. I’ve been blessed to see the absolute transforming power of Jesus Christ is so many lives…including my own.
So what you might ask…is my purpose?
Quite simply…one soul…closer to the Kingdom…would be well worth the journey.
