I feel extremely privileged to be what I call a “missionary to missionaries”. These men and women of God inspire me to be a better Christian and to have a closer walk with Christ no matter what is going on. Earlier this week, I was so encouraged to hear the testimony of one of the missionaries who is preparing to go to a country that is closed to the Gospel of Christ. I was so amazed how God has literally been doing miracles in her life. He has not stopped doing the supernatural, but to experience these miracles we often have to be ready to do what most may consider abnormal as we follow His will for our lives. The Christian life is not about trying to be safe, but courageously doing what may look strange to many and going when God tells us to go even when we may not have a detailed itinerary of the journey that He is sending us on. Many folks may think what we do is risky, but when we are in God’s will we remain in His shelter.
One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:1-2
I am learning that I should not overthink things or worry about what anyone will say. God may call us to do the seemingly impossible, but He is the God who makes the impossible possible and makes a way where there seems to be no way. Oh, what a mighty God we serve.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time. 1 Peter 5:6
I recently read while doing devotions that we need to have humility to obtain God’s wisdom, and there is a difference between Godly wisdom and the world’s wisdom. The world’s wisdom is often about self-promotion and pride, while the wisdom from God keeps Him in focus and seeks His glory. Therefore, we must humble ourselves before God for Him to show us His way. I have recognized that the lives of many of the missionaries I work with exemplify humility. And not only are they humble, but they also have a lot of grace. This grace enables them to face many hardships. It often hurts me to realize all the sufferings that they are experiencing. Recently, the missionaries I know throughout the world have been having more and more problems, including health issues, financial difficulties, broken down vehicles, lack of rest, separation from loved ones, and even war. Their lives are not easy, but as one missionary stated, “Pray, read your Bible at every moment and praise.” She, along with many other missionaries continue to praise God throughout the challenges. And despite the uncertainties and the struggles, they do not stop moving forward in God’s purpose for their lives.
Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
These missionaries like the Apostle Paul, are going toward the upward call of God although they encounter many pressures in life. But these pressures are making them better, as they learn to trust God more and rely on His guidance. Many do not make a move until He tells them to, so they have waited for years to go to the land God has showed them to go. But they recognize that this time of waiting is a period of preparation and God is positioning people to help along the journey during this time also. Waiting on the Lord takes courage and strength.
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
I have learned a lot from these missionaries who have decided to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth to do extraordinary feats through His Holy Spirit in order to build His kingdom. Some of these lessons are:
Pray at all times
Ponder the Scriptures
Praise God no matter what is happening
Preserve in spite of the pressures
I encourage you all to do the same, while not settling for less than God’s will, which may be difficult, but it is what is best. God’s way may not seem normal and definitely goes against the world’s norms, but you will see Him do mighty things as you fulfill His purpose in your life.
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