As I look back on the last couple of months I’ve realized that I’ve been so excited and anxious to start ministry with the World Race that I didn’t realize that ministry never truly starts or ends. One of many (and believe me, there were MANY) lessons I learned these last 10 days of Training Camp is that we shouldn’t be living from one mission trip to another in order to share God’s love, rather we should be living a missional life in which we are constantly seeking opportunities to love people.
For so long I’ve relied on other people or an organization to tell me when it’s time to love, serve and share the gospel with others. It was like I have an on and off switch as to when it was appropriate to smile to a stranger or to approach someone and ask how their day has been. I have been so focused on when a mission trip starts and ends that I shut off all other opportunities of sharing Christ’s love.
A couple months ago I went to a restaurant for lunch to pick up my food, as I waited for it to be ready I sat on one of the tables. Right next to me was an older gentlemen who was sitting by himself. I remember struggling within myself to build up the courage to ask him if he’d like some company while we waited for our food. A good 5 minutes passed by of me struggling to simply getting up and saying hi. Then my food was ready, and I booked it out of there. I felt relieved that I didn’t have to approach him anymore but equally horrible that my anxiety prevented me from talking to him. I had missed an opportunity, an opportunity to hear about his life, to make a friend, to know how I could pray for him or simply, someone to talk to for 10 minutes . The problem was that I have an on and off switch. If someone would have told me that the mission of that day was to talk to a strange, I would have gone up to the first person to walk passed me; but that day, at this time I didn’t HAVE TO do anything.
Imagine if Jesus had this mindset. How would our lives be different if God would love us only when He “had to”. Only when it was convenient or only when we met the right requirements. What if we show love to others only when it’s “the mission”.
During Training Camp we were challenged not think of the World Race as just another mission trip; rather to live a missional life whenever we go, be that here at home or around the world. Our “job” as Christ followers doesn’t end when we finish ministry. We are called to love at all times (1 John 4:7, 1 John 3:16-16, 1 Peter 4:8, Mark 12:31), not just when it’s convenient, or when you go on a mission trip.
To finish, I hope this encourages you to go out today and seek opportunities to make someone smile, to tell them they are loved, to have a genuine conversation or even to share the gospel with someone. Don’t wait until you’re on a mission trip and the conditions are just right. See others the way God sees you- in love and wanting to know you.
