I’m sure that blog title wasn’t what you were expecting. “Cassandra, you’re a missionary in another country! How could you say this year is all about you??”
Thank you for asking!
Let me explain.
You know when you’re on a plane getting ready to take off and they do the safety demonstrations? I know you probably never listen – unless you get one of those fun announcers that does them in fun voices of movie quotes – but the flight attendant talks about the air masks that drop down from the ceiling if there’s a sudden drop in cabin pressure. They tell you that before you even help your child with their mask, you have to put yours on first.
This year my squad is going to be giving of ourselves. A LOT of ourselves. We’re going to be praying over people and working hard on projects from teaching English to constructing houses. We’ll be pouring into our ministry hosts and living in close quarters with each other all year. It will be exhausting. Every time we go out, we’re rubbing elbows with the principalities and powers of evil forces that Paul talks about Ephesians 6. And I would say Paul knows a thing or two about how those can affect a person.
When I say this year is about me, I’m not trying to be selfish. I’m simply saying that if I don’t focus on myself first and jealously guard my relationship with the Lord then I’ll burn out quickly. Not focusing on me would actually be MORE selfish because if I don’t equip myself with the full armor of God to prepare myself for ministry, I can’t fully serve the people God has for me to meet.
But, when I take the time to cultivate an intimate relationship with the Lord, then I will be able to step into the good works God has planned for me effortlessly. Not because I’m so awesome, but because I will be so full of the Spirit that he will overflow out of me. Completing the mission of Christ will be as natural as breathing!
Not only that, but it will also keep me from spiralling when I get back home. There are plenty of stories about racers – even some from our alumni squad leaders! – who had such trouble going home because they had made the work they were doing their purpose instead of seeking after the Lord. They didn’t know what to do once they didn’t have specific “work.”
At Adventures in Missions, they say ‘life is ministry and ministry is life.’ And I buy it.
So, this year is about me. Or, how’s this sound?: This year is all about me and God. Because I know the closer WE get, the closer I will be to the center of His will. And that’s the only place I really care to be.
