There’s a inner cynic in you, there’s a inner cynic in me…there’s an inner cynic in all of us. It feeds on our insecurities, on comparison, on jealousy, on ignorance, on arrogance, on fear…on all of those fun things. Being cynical is an easy way to alleviate our own insecurity in who we are and what we are doing, while degrading another human being. Lovely, eh?
Our world is fueled by cynicism, it can seem. We get criticized if we do something, then we also get criticized for not doing it. Sometimes a lot of us are left feeling that we can’t win. Not only can we be cynical, but all of us have been victim to cynicism. You’d think that by knowing the pain of being unjustly judged would prevent us from doing the same to others, but often it doesn’t. It’s like a cycle if not stopped.
The Lord has been dealing with me in my own heart about this topic and has been challenging me to not judge by something shallow like a Facebook post, an Instagram photo, or something vague that I’ve heard. I am not the reader of man’s hearts, only God is. He can give discernment on matters, but usually that doesn’t give you a puffed up feeling and the need to bring another human being down so you can feel better than them. If anything, discernment leads you to your prayer closet and encourages you to confront a person in love with truth.
Something that honestly hits close to home for me, is the cynicism that is thrown at missionaries. You see the pictures, yes. Sometimes you even see that they did something fun for a weekend. I have heard the nasty comments thrown at missionaries talking about how they are just on vacation and that they are not doing mission work. As a matter of fact, out of ignorance when I was younger, there were times I thought the same. I was wrong. So wrong.
The mission field, whether you’re in a different country, or doing what the Lord has called you to do in your homeland, can be filled with difficulty, heartache and a lot of hard work that most people will not see. You don’t do the work you do to be thanked, looked at or applauded.
Sometimes, there are those that may go on a mission’s trips for the Facebook album they’ll get. But maybe, in that mission’s trip, while snapping away pictures, they have an encounter that totally rocks their world view and understanding of who God is. Maybe, someone starts out with the wrong intentions, and the Lord changes their lives and come back with the right intentions. Or, maybe, just maybe…they had the right intentions all along.
I have met missionary FAMILIES overseas, that gave up their home life in their home land, to answer the call of God on their lives. They are living by faith every day, trusting God for provision. They see amazing fruit that comes after tremendous struggle, long-suffering and perseverance. And some of those families, upload a cute picture of a kid they minister to. Sometimes, they go on an adventure when they have a couple days off and share pictures of their time and the fun they had. Maybe, just maybe, they are wanting to share their beautiful moments with the people that have supported, prayed and cared for them back home. Maybe, just maybe, they aren’t doing it to shamelessly promote their selves.
And for my World Race family, I can say the same. As a previous World Racer, when I shared photos, I tried to make sure that my motives were pure in sharing. I knew there was people back home that supported me financially and covered me in prayer to come alongside me in this journey that had a right to see photos that showed what was going on where I was at. Same with the rest of my squad mates.
And as for teenagers, young adults or regular adults that go on a week’s missions trip and are very excited…don’t put out that fire. When I was in Haiti, I saw over 100 teenagers’ lives get rocked. One teenager said that the Lord had changed his heart so much and that he wants to share what happened with all of his friends. Others, were deeply moved by the people that they met in the villages. One night, I heard a young teen preaching about a revelation that the Lord had shown him with his peers. If they share photos, it’s because they are EXCITED and want to SHARE. Like I said earlier, maybe it could be a wrong motive. But the truth of the matter is, you cannot read their heart. If God created the Earth in 6 days, He can surely rock a person’s heart in week. I saw it.
Like the Lord is encouraging me, to watch my heart and not give into cynicism, I encourage you all to do the same. Not just towards missions, but towards everything. Don’t forsake the truth, always stand up for the truth and do it with God’s love and courage in your heart. But don’t think it’s your personal duty to make sure everyone knows how wrong they are, with the motivation of making yourself look better. (I’ve done that before. It just hurts YOU and the people that you are doing it to.)
With all love,
Meraia
