Our mission field is the people God places in our path and our mission is building relationships with those people.
We had the district manager of missions come and visit our church last Sunday. He spoke of trips to Jamaica and Belize. He talked about the huge difference that missionaries can make in the lives of others. He talked about building structures, replacing pipes, giving sermons and conducting Vacation Bible School on foreign soil. It was all very interesting and touching. He was very passionate about the topic and was moved to tears more than once.
He pointed out that the most important part of mission work is not the building things or the service that is provided, although it’s much needed. He said the most important part of mission work is building relationships. He said it’s always a mistake to push religion instead of letting others see, God in us.
This concept really struck a chord in me. People need to know that they matter to someone. When people are living in terrible poverty or in bad situations, it’s human nature to wonder if anyone cares about them. When we reach out a hand to the hurting, we let them see a glimpse of God. It’s not about religion. It’s about relationship.
He went on to say that your most important mission field is your children. He said that a mission trip is great, but it’s a week or two a year for most people. How you treat people everyday is true mission work.
A cousin of mine recently sent me an article written about just that very thing. Mission work starts at home. We first minster to and teach our own children. We do that by plugging in to their world and inserting God’s love into it. We can’t do that effectively by dropping them at youth group or Sunday school once a week. We have to be there and be involved in our mission field.
We have to set examples of God’s love for them in how we treat our spouses and how we treat our friends and neighbors. We also have the difficult task of setting examples of God’s love for them by how we treat others who don’t treat us well or don’t show us respect. No one ever said mission work was easy, rewarding at times, yes, but rarely easy. Just ask Jonah.
But, I believe while our mission field may begin with our children, it expands and grows along with them. Every child or teenager at this point, who walks through my door or sits at my dinner table, offers me the opportunity to shine the light of Christ.
Aren’t all Christians missionaries? If we know Jesus and the world around us doesn’t, then our mission field is everyone who God puts in our path. And if true mission work is about relationship, then asking a struggling neighbor or co-worker over for coffee, can be a service for God.
It really doesn’t seem that difficult, does it? It doesn’t even require a passport. But, it does require something we really struggle with these days, our time. Perhaps we should begin to view our time like any other gift from God, a precious resource. Perhaps we should pray about the mission field in our own backyard.
Can you think of someone who is struggling financially, physically or emotionally? Can you think of someone who has suffered a recent loss? If so, you have the opportunity to be a missionary. If you can’t, I encourage you to pray about it. I’ll bet God will send you someone in need of your unique brand of hospitality. It’s never too late to get started. What do you say?
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂