Life is mission, and mission is life.
It’s been the mantra of this year, and though I’ve heard it so many times, I pray it never becomes numb or cliche to me.
We’ve now served 10 months, in 10 different countries, and going into the final month, I can say my mindset about missions has changed dramatically.
My past mission trips solely revolved around evangelism. That was the “right” and “best” way to serve. And while I still hold sharing the gospel as a dire importance, God has opened my eyes to jump into so many different ways He moving and reaching people.
Serving alongside 10 different ministries so far, none have looked the same. There have been ministries that I’ve loved – relational evangelism, orphan care, cafe ministry, feeding programs.
But there have also been ministries I don’t have a natural heartbeat for – initiative evangelism, teaching English, camp ministry.
Through it all, God has taught me that He uses things beyond my narrow scope to bring Him glory. He’s taught me to lean on Him (intimacy) and others (community) when I don’t feel or like doing doing ministry. And lastly, He’s taught me that loving others doesn’t stay within the bounds of formal ministry.
My favorite “mission moments” have been on buses, feeding and eating with street kids, praying with waitresses, loving and listening to Venezuelan refugees, and so many more.
If I ceased living missionally the minute I left our formal ministry site each day, this year would have taught me nothing. Jesus calls us to love and bring His kingdom, and that may look like sharing the gospel, but it may also look like loading wood for the widow’s coming winter, giving food and holding the hand of a homeless person or singing the banana song with kids.
I’ve learned to never underestimate a seemingly simple act of love, because I know full well that God can and does use the simplest sacrifices of self.
It sounds like it would be hard and exhausting, and you know what, it sometimes is. But that’s where intimacy with the Lord and the spurring on of community comes in.
When I spend truly intimate time with the Lord, reading his Word and dwelling in his presence, I begin to see people the way He does and the voice of Holy Spirit directs and guides my acts of love. And when I’m tired and don’t want to serve, I have a community that gently nudges me forward and prays for strength and perseverance.
Living a life on mission requires that live a life of action and truth. Not to just speak, but also to do. Because one cool thing that God has shown me is that sometimes meeting physical needs and acting out love can soften hearts and create a hunger to hear and know about Jesus, the source of the love we give.
Jesus calls the Church, all followers of Him, to live as His light. Calls to both go and send out. Calls to be disciples and equip them.
Paul challenges us to imitate Christ, but in order to do that well, we have to intimately know Him. Know His ways, His heart for us and His heart for others.
Living a life marked by missions requires humility. Not the false humility that teaches to think less of yourself, but true humility that leads us to think of ourselves less.
Intimacy, community and mission. The things that inhabit an abundant life. That abundant life Jesus talked about. I’m not full when intimacy with the Lord is deep, but I have bitterness toward a brother. I’m not full when my community is peaceful and joyous, but I’m not being salt and light to the world.
God offers and wants us to live out all these things because they lead to abundance. And this year, I’ve experienced fullness.
