As I was engaged in conversation with a friend of mine, he shared with me something that struck my with a bit of disbelief. He informed me that a family member of his had become upset and told him, “I didn’t support you so you could go on vacation, you are suppose to be a missionary.”
WHAT!
what does that even mean? You are suppose to be a missionary? What is a missionary anyways?
By definition a missionary is someone who responds to the calling of Christ that he gives in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples of all nations. But furthermore what does making disciples look like?
Sitting in a closed room, bible and notepad in hand?
A conversation over coffee?
Daily devotion with your team?
Sometimes.
In any case, relationship is key and that doesn’t happen in a day. Being a missionary doesn’t always mean long skirts and going door to door trying to convert locals. Although it can, but sometimes it’s being knee high in a rice field to help with the work load of a struggling family or sometime is looks like walking down the beach with a Muslim man, telling him about the one true God.
This month we are partnering with a local coffee shop, building relationship through English lessons and the occasional dance class. Everywhere we go people see us and want to practice their English. Those are the opportunities we take to start a relationship, a friendship, a trust. That’s exactly what Jesus did, he went out and built relationships, He loved people, and if we are called to be like Him, then that is what we must do. Love people. Simple.
Sometimes that looks like going to a swimming pool to teach a coworker how to swim or staying up late into the night to try and help a faith questioning hostel owner. Where and What God is calling you to do looks different for everyone.
I pray that people would not judge by what they see on the outside, but rather you would know the heart of the person. As a missionary and as a follower of Christ my purpose is to love people. And through that, they will feel the life giving love of Christ that flows through me. I am to go where He calls me to go, and be whomever He calls me to be. Weather that be a sand volleyball player, or warm heartbeat to an orphaned infant, Christ love can shine through any situation.
Being a follower of Christ also means you need to have a relationship with the father. He isn’t just a figure on a stage, He is alive and well, and He longs to hold you in His arms. Everyday is a new adventure, a chance to dive deeper into intamacy with God. Don’t take a single second for granted, Christ died for you, for the stranger next to you, for all. God commands you to do two things: Love Him and love His people.
Go & Be.
