“How did you know you were called for missions?”
I’ve heard this question asked many times growing up. The question was usually addressed to my parents.
I don’t really remember how my parents answered the questions. Mostly because I was either a child too busy playing to care or a teenager who was bored out of my mind. I couldn’t care less about missions while I was growing up.
You see, early on, I promised myself that I would never become a missionary. I figured that since most of my family on my dad’s side were involved in missions in one way or another, my family had already met our missionary quota.
I was free to become rich and maybe give to missions instead.
But here’s the thing… We are all called to missions. The Great Commission is for everybody. No exemptions.
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So the answer to the title of this blog post is a big fat YES. You are definitely called.
Does that mean you should get all packed up and book your first ticket to China? (To which we would say, “Yahoo! The Lord of the Harvest has answered our prayers!”)
NO.
Yes, we would be happy to have people come over and join us in the work being done here, because there’s a lot to be done, but whether or not it is time for you to go is between you and God.
So maybe we’re asking the wrong question. The question isn’t, “Am I called?” The question is, “Should I go? Should I step out of my comfort zone and traverse the great unknown? Is the life of a missionary God’s plan for me?”
He is a God of risk and adventure. And He loves it when we step out in faith into the great unknown.
But He is also a God of wisdom. He has His sometimes strange and unpredictable, but ultimately PERFECT, timing.
The thing is that you clicked on this post for a reason. I would like to think that just like me, you have this yearning deep inside you. Something in you comes alive when you think of being able to co-labor with His people on the mission field. You feel it in your bones, and you are reading this article for a reason.
You might have already heard from Him. He has a put a place in your heart, and for some reason, that place, that country has been demanding to be uttered in your prayers.
You might have known since you were a child that you want to be a missionary. There are so many stories of that, of Samuels who have been attuned to His voice since they were three or five or six and have heard His call to GO at such young ages.
You might have seen a video about missions in your church or online. And it sparked in you that desire to help.
Or you might be just a Christian, in a season of transition, seeking His will for your life.
If so, don’t be like me. I heard my call when I was twenty-one. And He took me through a period of my life where He prepared me for such a time as this. Looking back, I see that His ways were perfect, even if my reactions weren’t. Even if I was a mess. Ultimately, my comfort zone had to be so uncomfortable for me to have the guts to get out of the nest and fly.
Don’t wait for your comfort zone to be uncomfortable before you go. Listen. If any of these words are speaking to you at all, building up that fire in your heart to become a missionary, then spend extended times with God, seeking His heart.
Put faith into action, and go on a short-term trip somewhere. It doesn’t even have to be the country God has originally placed in your heart. (I’m actually praying to go to Egypt someday, but He spoke to me last year that China was my training ground, and I have learned so many things that are preparing me for the time when I have to go to the land of my calling.)
Create art about missions and the unreached (those who have never heard of the Gospel).
Invest in missions, just because of the kingdom principle of sowing and reaping.
Pray. Seek counsel. Seek His heart.
The 10/40 Window still has millions of people who have never heard the Name of Christ. You are one of those who have—someone who has a unique blend of personality, talent and skills that no one else has.
There are so many ways for you to use those special giftings in order to take part in the global harvest. So whether or not you have to literally go and buy that ticket to China, there’s no excuse to not be involved.
You are called. Answer the call.