Missionary life... There was a point in time where I could say I was simply an MK (missionary's kid), but I've found that that's simply not true anymore. I'm not a missionary because my parents are. I'm not a missionary because I live in West Africa. I most certainly am not a missionary because I speak different language, or because I forget that you need to wear shoes sometimes. I am a missionary because I have chosen to follow Christ whole-heartedly. I am a missionary because that is what dying to self and rising up to new life in Christ is. I am a missionary because of the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 19-20. And guess what? If you have chosen Christ to be your Lord, you're a missionary too. You don't even have to leave your neighborhood to share the love of Christ with others. You are called. Sure, maybe you don't feel called to serve out in the boonies somewhere. But that doesn't change the fact that as His child, you are called.
So, here are the Top 10 things that I wish I knew when I began my walk with Christ, when I became a missionary.
1. When you feel God's calling, answer it! Nothing good ever comes from ignoring His voice.
2. When you pray for God's will, you are praying a dangerous prayer. Often times, you are the answer to your own prayer. You could be the one that God wants to use to reach out to the homeless man on your front stoop. It could be your best friend. The answer to your prayer could be very joyful or very painful. God's will is the safest place to be, and yet, it can also be dangerous if one doesn't know one's own place.
3. Yes, No or Wait. Prayer is a powerful weapon. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think God should answer with that we forget that He is sovereign and He is God. He can answer any way that He chooses! We must never forget that.
4. God is on the move! Even when it doesn't look like He is moving, He is. You may never see the fruit of your labor here on earth, but that is okay! It's okay. Because God sees it, and it means the world to Him that you are serving Him.
5. Trust Him. It doesn't matter what you think your life should look like, you need to trust Him. Let go of your ideals.
6. It's a conversation. When I was little, I would wake up in the mornings and run to wherever it was that my toys were kept. I'd find my little, pink princess cellphone, and run back to my bed. I shoved back the covers, flattened my sheet out, and patted the spot next to me. I then proceeded to call Jesus. Usually the first thing I would tell him was that I loved Him and that it was pretty outside and whatever else I wanted to tell Him, but then I just sat in silence imagining He was sitting on my bed with me. Eventually, I would place the cellphone on my nightstand and go about my day. But the cellphone laid open, I never snapped it shut. Because even that young, I knew it was all about a conversation. It was like my way of showing God that I was waiting for Him to talk back.
7. It's about relationship. Every culture is different, but they all value relationships and familial connections. Once you build a relationship with someone, you can then proceed to share the gospel.
8. Plant, Water, Wait. In this life, you never know where someone's heart is at. You may be the one planting the seed, or you might be the one that's watering the seedling- but the rest is up to God. It is He who provides the growth.
9. It takes time. This life seems to demand patience almost 24/7. Nothing comes right away. You know that expression that says "All good things to those who wait"? Well, it's true. God supplies the 'good things' when we trust that He is in control.
10. It is not easy. If it was easy, we'd never learn anything. If goodbyes didn't feel like losing a limb, no one would ever be able to impact us. It is not easy, but there's always a way. God provides in absolutely insane ways at times, it's beautiful!
> Have anything that you would like me to answer on my "Dear Grace" feed? Shoot me an email and I will answer your questions anonymously!
> Interested in being my first "Guest Blogger"? PM me and we'll see what I can do to set that up for you!
> Have anything that you'd like me to promote, or a website you want advertised? I can do it for FREE, just send me the link and I'll feature it in my next posts.