It is not uncommon for someone to ask these days, “Why do you do that?” The question is relevant to our efforts as foreign missionaries. Another similar query and often attached to the first is, “How did you get started?” The answers aren’t difficult to give and in fact, have been shared countless times especially with children and youths. I’d like to think that the young who ask such questions are seeking for themselves as great or greater challenge as that which we’ve undertaken. The stock answer that, “God called us.” doesn’t satisfy the mind of the questioner. There is a need for something more emphatic…something that is a tangible reason for being a foreign missionary. Indeed, there are many such reasons!
I guess the main thing is love for people…no matter how far away, how different the culture, color, language or history. Prompted by this love, is the notion that there are things we can do personally that will make a positive difference for others. Usually it is in small ways that those differences are made but smallness is never the measure of importance when good things happen. It’s the cup of water principle, Mt 25.
Friendship is a great motivation. We just do things for and with friends. Obligation is another. We consider what things have been done for us then imagine how to pay forward such kindness. Imagination, adventure and vision all enter into the picture. How’d we get started? We took a small step of faith and countless others after it. We’re still walking that way trusting God to continue leading. TY for asking!
Sitting on the shore brings many thoughts to mind…
First and foremost is the proclamation of the gospel. You know, preaching is much like fishing…you have to want to do it, you have to prepare to do it and then…you have to do it! A friend of mine gave me something a long time ago that said, “There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot.” It’s true! And the same is so with preaching the gospel. We never lack for a message to preach. The problem is often in knowing what it is. That knowledge comes only through knowing the people among whom we are working. Whether they’re a new target group or the same folks to whom we’ve ministered for years, knowing what challenges them is vital to effective preaching. There are issues private and public that must claim our attention for the sake of preparation. Our efforts in preparation must be awash in prayer and Holy Spirit leadership. Then in the power of Holy Scripture we will preach.
Talk to a fisherman sometime. He will never complain about his catch and will often boast over the most meager of them. His task is to prepare then take to the sea with all the desire he can muster. Upon every outing there is great hope that this will be the time for a tremendous catch. His heart is set on it. His mind’s eye can see it. So he fishes to the best of his ability. The preaching of the gospel is with similar hope. The better the preparation, the more eager the presentation! The greater the hope for response, the more sincere the prayer of the preacher. We’re living in a critical time for our world. Alarming things are happening all around us but this isn’t a time for cowering down. This is a time for courageous proclamation of God’s word!
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers…
Glen
