“Galadriel: Mithrandir… Why the halfling?
Gandalf: Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.”
-The Hobbit
Messiah complex: (also known as the Christ complex or savior complex) is a state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that he is, or is destined to become, a savior.
One of the most obvious qualities of my generation is a hunger to make the most of our lives. You will hear many Millennials use phrases such as “I’m just not satisfied with my life right now,” “I want more,” or “I want to make a difference in the world.” While none of these notions are innately bad, this line of thinking has somewhat infected my generation with an acute case of Messiah Complex.
Mixed with a strong, individualistic American mindset, the idea of “changing the world” often results in us thinking that I alone will be the means to the change. I know personally I have been on many mission trips with the presumption that because I am going to preach the Gospel that it will cause a revival to break out across the entire country. “The full-time missionaries are doing okay, but when I get there then everyone will know Jesus.” We typically want or expect (sometimes even feel entitled to) an Acts 2 break out of the spirit every time that we preach the word.
However, this does not always happen. I am not denying that revivals can break out, reaching thousands for Christ, but when it does happen it is a move of God, not because I graced anywhere with my presence.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” -1 Cor. 3:6
We are the farmers and God is the cause of the growth. We must not get the roles reversed. A farmer would look ridiculous if he stood out in his field and yelled at his seeds, “Grow into crops now!!! I command it!” especially if that farmer hasn’t even put in the work of planting and watering their seeds. All they can do is plant, water, and tend to the seeds. God has created the seed to grow in the right conditions. However, that’s what we often do. We try and talk people into Christianity without first planting and watering seeds. All we can do is put in the work to allow the seeds to be planted, watered, and provide the right conditions for the seeds to grow. God is the only one that can cause the seeds to grow. It is good to want to see growth, but also make sure you are willing to put in the work!
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” -John 16:7-8
How has the World Race helped me form this line of thinking? Because we travel to each country to partner with local ministries, helping in whatever way we can strengthen the already living body of Christ in each country. I did not get picked because the presence of Caleb Funderburk will change the hearts of men. I came to serve, knowing that only the name of Jesus Christ has the power to save the souls of men.
Month 2 really brought this concept to life. If you asked me to summarize our time in Thailand with one word it would be “sanding.” My team got the task of sanding almost everything we could find in Mae Sot. We sanded walls, floors, chairs, benches, tables, we even sanded sand (ok, slight exaggeration but you get the point). Now don’t get me wrong, the work wasn’t terrible and I enjoyed my time serving Outpour Ministries. It just is not the typical work that one would expect on a mission to “change the world.”
But what did I realize from my time sanding? Soon I will be gone to the next country. But this ministry will still be here. Serving the locals. Providing sustainable jobs to refugees. Spreading the Gospel.
We had the privilege of taking out a task in two weeks that could have taken the full-time missionaries two months to complete, freeing them up that much more to minister to the locals who need to hear the Gospel.
Upon our arrival in Myanmar (formerly Burma), I also got a taste of the extent of my own Messiah Complex when I went with the mindset that I was going to be the key factor in the salvation of the country. The country’s borders had only recently been opened to foreigners, so surely that means that God had been waiting for American missionaries to get there so the Gospel could start its work. “We had to hurry up and get there, God is waiting.”
Fortunately, we quickly saw that wasn’t the case. I had forgotten for a moment that God isn’t contained by human borders, no matter how hard we try. He needs no passport or to go through customs. We met God in Myanmar alright, but He had been working long before we arrived. We had the opportunity to meet many native missionaries (Yes, Burmese Christians taking the Gospel to Myanmar. Quick side-note and teaser trailer for future blog: Can we be missionaries to our own countries and even our own people? Well, yes! “All nations” includes the very country you live in. Don’t neglect your home). We saw the Gospel being carried faithfully by local Burmese peoples. They loved their people. But even more so, they loved their Jesus.
So in summary, you can change the world. Don’t give up on your dreams. Use them to motivate you to partner with God to spread the gospel. However, remember that “changing the world” can look many different ways.
Sometimes it means sanding for two weeks to lessen the burden of the local ministry.
Sometimes it means being on the other side of a child’s throw, to simply catch a ball.
Sometimes it means slowing down enough to just flash a passing smile.
Sometimes it means putting on a Spider-Man mask to make a child laugh.
Whatever ministry comes your way, do it to the best of your ability. Be content where God has called you. Remember, you’re the farmer.
