People often tell us how much they admire us (missionaries) for uprooting our lives and moving overseas. But, you know who I admire?
- People with 9-5 jobs who take two weeks off so they can serve overseas.
- Pastors who lead their congregation by example, not just at home, but even in a foreign country.
- Moms and Dads who brave the insomnia and jet-lag to bring their kids half a world away so they can do mission work as a family.
- University students who take a semester off and spend that time bringing the gospel to people who don't even speak the same language.
Missionaries have a specific calling to uproot and move where God calls us. It's a 24/7 gig that we willingly said "yes" to, and yes, it's a sacrifice. But, we're not the only ones God has called to sacrifice for the Kingdom. Not everyone can (or even should) travel overseas for the gospel, so don't hear me say that. But, all of us have been tasked by God to make disciples in some way or another.
Maybe that means raising up your own children to follow the Lord. Maybe that means taking one or two teenagers from your church and teaching them what you've learned from your decades of walking with the Lord. Or maybe that means joining a mission team and becoming part of the "boots on the ground" strategy of missionaries in Africa or Europe or Asia.
Whatever it means for you - do it, and do it well.
But, I truly believe that God is calling many to sacrifice some of their money, a few weeks of their time, and some much-loved energy to be part of the work overseas.
One thing that we will always stress as missionaries is this: we cannot do this work alone. God may have placed a specific calling on our lives as "sent ones" to leave our home for the sake of the gospel, but He also placed a specific calling on all believers - to make disciples of all nations. So then, it's not only up to us, the missionaries, to reach everyone with the gospel.
It's also up to you - the university student; you - the pastor; you - the chemical plant worker; you - the music minister; you - the stay at home parent.
The question, then, is: What are you willing to give up for the sake of the Kingdom? A few thousand dollars... two or three weeks off from work... a few nights of unrest? If God says, "Come, follow me," I can promise you those sacrifices will be well worth it.
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