I used to think being a missionary meant living in Africa… or at least anywhere outside the boarders of America.
And while I was a “missionary” for a short time in Nepal earlier this year, I came back thinking, “Is that it? I went on a missions trip for a couple weeks and now I’m back in America and I’m suddenly not a missionary anymore? What defines ‘missions’ anyway?”
I leave for my Race next September, but what I’ve come to realize this year is that being a missionary begins wherever you are. You don’t need to go overseas to gain that “M” title. Though it’s more glorified there- the humble everyday living in your environment is your mission field.
Let me tell you about mine.
A few months ago I moved away from home to start a new job at Walt Disney World! In the months before moving, I heard from various people that this place is spiritually very dark. Before accepting my job initially, I prayed over the decision knowing that if I went, I was first going to this place as a missionary. Yes it’s my job, but I am first a Christ-follower and I was going to be a light in the darkness.
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
I got here and I immediately realized the warnings of darkness were indeed true.
This is going to be harder than I thought.
Were there ANY Christians here!? In Orlando…. At Disney World? I saw my work cut out for me and my faith was going to be tested big time.
While Disney World certainly lives up to it’s title as “The Most Magical Place on Earth”, my coworkers and guests throughout the day are not always so magical….
So how am I a missionary here? What does my day look like? How do I love, serve, give, heal, tell, and make disciples?
Serving is giving my co-worker a ride home after work at 2am because she doesn’t have a car. And even though I don’t feel like talking after a long day, spiritual conversations are initiated and relationships a built a little further. Or, it’s letting a family with two little girls into the New Fantasyland during a special “Cast Preview Only” day so they can meet Ariel because they’re leaving tomorrow.
Giving is handing over my last granola bar to a girl I work with because she’s had a rough day and her debit card didn’t work in the vending machines. And even though I’m hungry and have been looking forward to that granola bar all night, I know it’s what Jesus would do. It’s making a birthday cake for another co-worker who has to work on his birthday and letting everyone share. It’s making him feel special and loved when he may have thought otherwise…
Healing is when a Make-A-Wish child comes on my ride. It’s treating them like royalty and calling the little girls “princess”, while I inwardly pray for them. It’s making their wishes come true so that for one day they can escape the reality of hospitals and treatments and just live life.
Telling is that hardest one. But for me, it’s offering encouragement to people throughout the day. It’s explaining Freedom 4/24, my favorite Christian non-profit organization, after they see the bumper sticker on my car.
Making disciples is speaking truth into my roommate’s life. It’s praying with her before work everyday. It’s telling her what God’s Word says by giving her scripture to memorize and meditate on. It’s telling her that with God all things are possible.
It’s all of this and so much more. Though I feel very small and overtaken by this world sometimes, I have to keep my Spirit in check at this Magical place and remind myself that He is greater and has me here for a reason. Being a full-time missionary begins with me here at Disney and I will continue to hold that unofficial title to wherever He leads me next. I’m alive to live for Him and be an ambassador of His perfect love. Where has God placed you right now to be an M?
