The Call
Missionaries are called into the mission field in unique ways – I’ve haven’t heard the same story twice. For some it’s a dramatic event, but for most it’s just a journey of steps fueled by a desire to obey God and a heart to help others. So here’s a little about my journey and my heart…
I was raised in a Christian home. I’ve believed the Gospel and was assured of my salvation as long as I can remember. But somewhere along the way I missed the part about having a personal relationship with Christ and living for Him on a daily basis. My faith guaranteed that I would go to heaven when I died, but it didn’t really impact how I was to live, if that makes sense. Have you ever heard the term “Fire Insurance”? That would describe my faith.
Fast-forwarding to my adult years, when circumstances in life through me for a loop, I started looking for answers, meaning, and purpose in life. After several unsuccessful attempts, I ended up back at church. Hmmm, what would things have been like had I pursued God with the same energy and determination that it took to search everywhere else? I guess that’s a whole other story…
As I plugged back into church, the Lord opened my eyes and softened my heart. And in 2002, I stepped out on my first mission trip. I’ll admit, I was scared. I didn’t feel “Christian enough”. I didn’t think God could use me to help others. And my persistent prayer was that I wouldn’t be called on to pray out loud. Can anyone relate? Fortunately, my excitement outweighed my fears and I went to Ecuador.
The Lord knocked my socks off!! He showed up big-time, and revealed Himself to me in so many amazing ways!!
First, He showed me that He loved me just the way I was, but didn’t want to leave me that way. He stretched me and surrounded me with amazing people to help me learn and grow. I’m always in awe of how the Lord builds mission teams with the perfect mix of strengths, weaknesses, personalities and gifts to share.
Second, He showed that not only could He use me, but that He wanted to use me as well. That was so shocking to me because, like I said, I felt like a pretty wimpy Christian.
Third, He revealed His heart for the nations, the suffering and the poor. I’ve often been asked
If God is all-powerful, why are so many people poor and hungry?
If God is loving and compassionate, why do people suffer with diseases and disabilities?
If God is merciful why are we losing an entire generation to HIV/AIDS?
These are tough questions that have even tougher answers… You see, WE are His answers. The Lord demonstrates His power, love, compassion, and mercy when He sends us out as the hands and feet of Christ. God chooses us and uses us when we choose to step out and follow him. And when we do, the blessings are incredible!!
On that first mission trip, the Lord also gave me a glimpse into His unique purpose for my life. From that point on I felt called to serve others around the world, and it was that calling or passion that fueled my hunger for the Lord and for spiritual growth. I knew that someday I’d be a full-time missionary, and set out to prepare and pray for the Lord’s timing.
Yikes, What Was I Thinking?
As I mentioned, it was during my first mission trip that the Lord filled me with a passion for missions and a calling to serve others around the world. I wanted to be a full-time missionary someday, but I didn’t yet know the Lord’s timing. Over the next few years, I remained active in missions, leading short-term trips to South Africa, Malawi and Palestine. It was during those trips that I met Thrive Africa and was deeply moved by their vision and their heart to change South Africa by training up Godly leaders.
Meanwhile, I continued working full-time in the Automotive Industry. Looking back I can see how the Lord used my career to develop me as a leader, strengthen my faith, and prepare me for His future calling. I also continued to pray that dangerous prayer – “Lord, send me.”
After years of dreaming, praying, and wondering about full-time missions the Lord closed one door and opened another. I was laid off. What? That wasn’t the way things were supposed to “go down”. That wasn’t at all what I had planned. I was shocked, angry, sad, a bit embarrassed – all mixed together. But I was also intrigued, cautiously optimistic, even hopeful and excited about whatever was to come next. And I knew that I was getting the Lord’s answer about the timing, just not in the way I had expected.
Did you ever pray for something, get it, and then go “Yikes, what was I thinking?” That’s what happened next. Like most characters in the Bible, doubts and fears came crashing in.
…but what about fundraising, but what about selling my house in a tanking economy, but what about moving overseas alone, but what about leaving my family…but, but, but…
That’s when the Lord reassured me that this is what I had been praying so fervently for, what had been on my heart for so long because He Himself put it there, and that He loved me and would take care of the details if I’d just trust Him. So I took a deep breath, a couple a small steps, and then a giant leap halfway across the world.
A Big Change
In some ways making the change from the corporate world into full-time missions was easy. One reason is that there are many similarities. Like any organization, we have a vision, a mission, objectives and goals. We plan our work, steward our finances, develop ourselves as leaders, and strive to lead by example. We value integrity, excellence, and teamwork – core values common to successful organizations. In these ways, I felt right at home. It also helps to love the work you’re doing and to feel like you can really make a difference in the world.
The big change also came with its challenges. One such challenge was financial. Moving from a steady paycheck to having to depend on the charitable contributions of others was a big step. It was scary for me. I hadn’t realized how much I valued my independence until God “forced” me to depend on Him and others. But the blessings are greater, the rewards are sweeter, and my faith is so much stronger as a result.
For me personally, another challenge has been the reaction I get from people. Many think that this is a great, noble thing I’m doing – whether they attribute it to me, or to God where the glory really belongs – they think it’s admirable to dedicate my life to helping those in need. But then there are others who view it differently – that I’m throwing away a masters level education, a career that took 20 years to build, a much needed retirement package, my very future. I’ll admit, in my weaker moments I wonder the same thing. Thankfully, that’s when the Lord reassures me that he will take care of my every need. And again, my faith grows so much stronger as a result.
It’s hard to express how wonderful it is to do what you feel called to and created for by the Lord Himself. Awesome, blessing, rewarding, amazing… My words seem so cliché and trite, but they’re true nonetheless.
So what advice do I have for someone considering a similar change?
First, make your relationship with God your top priority. Study the Bible, reflect, pray and listen to God. We need to hear from God in order to do His will. We need to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and exchange our worldly perspective for an eternal one.
Second, begin with small steps as a way to learn and discern God’s direction for your life. I did this through short-term mission trips, volunteering through work and church, and taking classes - but it will look different for everyone. Keeping seeking answers until you get them.
Third, trust God in all things. If God calls you, He will equip you and meet your every need. That doesn’t mean everything will come easily, but it will come together. Each time I trusted God with one of my “…buts” He showed up big-time strengthening my faith and further confirming His will for me.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, NIV
