What is it that will keep a missionary in his respective place of ministry? Is it love for the people? Looking at it from this side, that seems sufficient. But the people will not always act in a way that inspires love toward them. Quite often they will do things to annoy the missionary or take advantage of him by pilfering something or laugh at him for making a blunder in the language. Although the videos and pictures are emotional and moving, real life may not be quite as ideal. During certain moments, the missionary may not feel any love toward the people at all. This is something the special speaker reminded us of as she shared of her experience working with a tribal group in Papua New Guinea. She asked us to consider for ourselves what it would take to make us leave the mission field. The thought challenged me all over again. I hardly am loving toward the people who love me, so how am I going to love those who wrong me? If I go to the field thinking that love for the people will keep me there, I am mistaken. Many reasons cause missionaries to return home, some of them quite legitimate. But often this may be avoidable. So what is it that will keep a person on the field? God. He needs to be the focus of everything we as believers do, and this applies to missionaries. He is the reason that we go into all the earth, taking the message of His Son. He is the one who sustains us in the darkest of days, when everything seems pointless. Only He can keep us going when the work is discouraging and there seems to be no fruit from our labors. It is sad to see missionaries returning home because of discouragement or conflict with co-workers or being burnt out. It is also easy to think that won't happen to me, but it certainly could. This is why God should be my focus in any ministry I am a part of, because He is the reason for what I am doing, but also the one who empowers me for ministry. He is the one we serve.
1 Comment
SHARON NEILSON
1/20/2012 03:11:33 am
once again i totally have enjoyed your blog. you are well grounded and aware of the snags that might come. the love for our LORD has to be the only reason, or it just wont work. otherwise it would be too hard, but when HE calls you, you will be equipped:)peace
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AuthorWe are normal people who believe that God would have us serve Him in Brazil. We are saddened by the existence of people who do not have access to the gospel due to their location and language. We want to live among such a people group and plant a church among them, shepherding the believers as they grow to maturity. Archives
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