A View of Missions

Of the countless publications and newsletters, there is no lack in defining just what missions is, is not, or should be. Do not fret I am not going to add to that library today. It is apparent that these definitions frame how people think of those that partake in God’s great work worldwide, whether they be local ministers or international travelers. It has been a struggle to shake these views and definitions in light of following the pattern of missions; frankly, these ideas of missions have often overshadowed the joy of simply living as a born-again believer in Christ. There have been many days tainted by this unseen burden of expectation and many initiations to others have been skewed by an evangelical agenda with aims to expand or grow the ministry here in Serbia.

It is amusing to consider in all honesty because all that we have known to be missions or about missions is the very thing hindering true missions. This selfsame expectation can be carried anywhere though and for so many, it is carried and understood to be so-called “Christianity”, but Christianity, missions, or ministry is nothing more than truly living. Truly living with the truth of God in your heart. Truly living with the fruits of the Spirit bearing their fruits into your life and others. Truly living in the love of God, free from fear, insecurity, shame, or guilt of sin. There is no sufficient definition for this life because this life is truly living in a MYSTERY given by God to His children to rest in and freely enjoy. Our home is here because we live here. Our friends are here because we are genuinely their friends. Our church is here because it just so happens to be locally where we LIVE.

Living in the Given

This heading brings to my mind a great message given by a Pastor who has invested His life into many students and ministers worldwide. (find it here)

Our Time here has been teaching us eternally valuable lessons for life. This is true for any that live in Christ not just those given wholly to missions. Everything we do is taking part in what has been given. There is not an aspect of ministry here that is not first given by God to us. Our work, our time, our day to day routine is a gift to us and a privilege to steward toward growing investment in the lives of others. There is such a temptation to go beyond what has been given. In many ways we could easily strive towards creating something new for reaching more faster, more efficiently or more fervently but this work is first and foremost God’s. We are so appreciative and touched deeply by what is given here from fiscal support to time in prayer, all has been greatly used! This truly is God’s work, it always has been in our life. Our responsibility here has not changed because the mode or title we have assumed, it has remained constant in our life with Christ. We live in what God gives and we give what was given. There is no new way hiding in Serbia for us that was not apparent in the States and there is no new message apart from the glorious gospel.

The most powerful thing we have found in living here is rightly understanding what is passing through our hands. There is no thing too small for us to do and nothing too large for us to try, the key to both is knowing when it is in our hands to give back to God. Life with Christ is worship! it starts with receptive gratitude and ends with gracious giving. Everything that is given is handled, molded, and made our own as we then give it back with greater value. Like the parable of the talents we have seen how God gives unto each their own and each their own to return to Him. It is our prayer that we rightly see what is in our hands, what is given so that we may rightly invest our time in the things and more specifically the people God adds to our life.