“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. The Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
– Matthew 28:16-20
“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'”
– Acts 1:7-8
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
– Acts 5:41-42
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disesase and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'”
– Matthew 10:35-38
So here is (are) my question(s): is global mission work a non-negotiable for a believer? Is it something we should do because we’re obligated to share the Gospel, or is it something we should do because we have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to serve in a specific part of the world? Is being “salt and light” in our day-to-day lives enough?
I think that since we have a three year old, I’ve had the mindset that my primary mission field is in my home…that this is just not the “season of life” for me to serve overseas on even a short-term basis unless I am prompted and led by the Holy Spirit to go. But am I wrong? I recently heard someone say that making excuses about why we can’t possibly serve globally is just putting up smokescreens…because sometimes the need dictates the call. I see what the person is saying…but I don’t think I agree, necessarily.
I’d love to know what y’all think.
First of all, it’s not just your decision, you have a husband to consider. In traditional Christian thinking, as the leader of your house, he would make that decision (with you). I think if you are called to go overseas, and you are gifted to do so, you know it. There’s nothing Biblical to support that assertion, it’s just what I feel. I am certain I am best able to serve those around me right now. Tomorrow may be different. I think the worst thing you can do is worry over it.
Okay, there is a valid point in that some people just make excuses, and that is valid.
But what many people fail to recognize is that being a wife and mother is not just a choice some women make, it is a valid job and ministry given to us by the Lord. It is my job to care for my family and home. It is not just my choice, it is the job the Lord gave me.
It is my job to ensure that my family is cared for and our daughter is taught the things of the Lord, it is not the church’s responsibility of that of the pastor or sunday school teachers even though they play an important roll, it is the job of my husband and me. We are responsible.
Can we physically go on an overseas mission? No, that is not our gifting or calling or job right now.
Can we support missionaries in various ways? Yes, and we do.
We all have different jobs in the kingdom, and the eye cannot cast scorn on the ear for not seeing.
Kristy
Our children have to be the people we teach first – they just happen to be the hardest to teach. They need us so much and I feel more responible for them than all the lost in the world.
The Holy Spirit will prompt your heart into areas of service – if you’re willing to hear. Your area of service tomorrow, 5 years from now, 10 or 20 years may be to the lost who live on your street. I know Bham has lots of unchurched people.
I remember going to a Keith Green concert years ago in which there was an incredible push to go into global missions. There even seemed to be a denigration of those who stayed home and “wrote checks.” I thought it would be terrible to discourage those who send money – for how else would missions survive? I think this is a matter of “we are all members of the body, but we each have a different service.” It may be that you will have an opportunity to serve globally when this season is past. Let the Holy Spirit convict and lead at that time. And in the meantime, send a check to someone who can go, but needs support. It’s all good!
Hey AM – You read my mind….
I agree with what everyone has already said. Really, each of us re called to different things at different times and we are not all called to go out into the whole wide world, many of us are called only to go out into our little world. As we obey in the little things He gives us bigger and bigger callings. Obedience is key.
As much as I long to go on a missin trip I am not currently called to do so, instead I have this still, quiet voice saying “Write.” I figure that that is how He intends me to go out so that is what I do.
Wow. Heavy stuff…
I think missions is a priority of ALL Christians. But…does missions have to mean going to a remote tribal village in the rainforest of some country I cannot spell?
No. Sometimes the mission field is in your hometown. Sometimes the mission field is in your own house.
And I firmly, firmly believe that FAMILY comes before missions. Right now I’m in the season of raising young children so my priority is at home.
Hubs and I suppport missions abroad by carefully financially supporting certain organizations and missionaries in our church.
Missions is what you make of it.
My response is on my blog. Here’s the condensed version:
I believe it is a biblical mandate that all Christians share the gospel, but not necessarily that each individual Christian must travel geographically to do so.
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
We should be always proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom – everyday, wherever we are…We (exhorting myself, here, too) need to be reminded that this inherently means that we actually tell people about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
I do not believe that as moms we are exempt from the biblical call to “go”, just because we are primarily focused on raising our own children. YES, they are our focus and first mission field, and we should not neglect our families for the sake of building up a ministry. But if we are paying any attention to the people around us as we go about our day, we will find plenty of opportunities to lift high the name of Jesus.
I think that often we interpret the call to “go and preach the Gospel” as referring exclusively or primarily to international missions because we are uncomfortable with the idea of sharing the Gospel in our own daily context…
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Without reading the other comments – let me just say that there will always be needs in every church, and nation. That does not mean you personally, Boomama, have to fulfill each need. Is not God big enough to call someone who is suited to fill that need?
I personally believe that only if God calls someone to fill a need, and they do not go, will God ask someone to go who is willing but does not have the training. He will equip those he calls, but sometimes that equipping is a lifetime of training that has already happened. Not just all of a sudden someone who has never spoken Japanese now knows the language just because Japan needs a missionary (Japan chosen arbitrarily in this example). Likely, soneone would have already been interested in Japanese culture, language, and thus would be already equipped.
Struggling with this myself right now, but I believe this is the right conclusion. Either way, I just want to trust God that he will direct me, and I will follow, whereever he wants me to be. Isn’t that more important? A willing heart?
God places each of us in different areas of the world. Missions is discipling where God has put you. Prayer has always been a way to impact global mission work, but in this day and age we all do have the opportunity to support missions in more ways . . . financially, emails, letters, trips to visit and encourage those away from their homes. Some of the places God told the disciples to go were their home towns. The point over and over in Scripture is to be where God tells you to be and serve God wherever that is.
Right now, your primary “mission field” is your home (wherever that is) and you have young ones to “bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” But unless you lock you and your kids in the house all day, you also have countless opportunities to share Christ with other moms and their kids, neighbors, merchants you deal with . . . when you sit down and think about how many people you talk to during the day that you don’t even attempt to bring up the name of Christ it rebukes each one of us. I am more apt to speak of what “trial” of motherhood has beset my day than the amazing and daily blessings my Savior has given me.
Oooh I have thoughts on this. I will say them since you asked. I don’t mean to offend or argue with anyone who has said differently. :-)
I do not believe we are *all* called to go. I agree with the idea that some are called to stay and send. To pray and give in order that others might go.
BUT … I believe we should all be WILLING to go. We should not *assume* we are to stay just because it’s an inconvenient life stage for us, or we haven’t had some mysterious dream that tells US to go. I believe the mandate to go *is* there, and is out there for all believers to take seriously … but that doesn’t mean we’ll all end up going.
That our role as believers is to say, “Yes, Lord, if you want us to go, if you want me to go, I will go. In your time, by your leading, unless YOU stop me. You work out the details.” — and to really mean that, or at least mean it as much as we can and say, “help me to truly be willing” when we struggle. I think we need to take seriously the idea that he MIGHT send us with small children, or with a lot of children, or with other ministry we already have here … We need to be willing to put “worldly wisdom” aside and follow Him if He’s “crazy enough to send US” – LOL — but also, then, be willing to stay if He says, “not you, not at this time.”
To me that is a pivotal difference — the difference between saying, “oh, no, it couldn’t be us, now – we have a ministry here, it’s not the time …” and saying “Lord, if you wish it, crazy as it seems, we will go. Please let us stay only if you desire us to stay. Guide us.” ~ starting with the assumption that he might want to send us.
Whether we go or stay, He puts a mission field around us. Gives us the families that our our “first mission field” ~ I don’t think we put aside immediate family (spouse and children) to go away and serve. But we can ask Him to show us how to knit those together.
Like Tess said – a truly willing heart, that isn’t making excuses before considering, but trusting that God will work out the details if His answer is “yes, now” … or “no, not now”
even if that looks the same on the outside as someone who just says “no, not now” to God.
Of course, that being said, it’s easy FOR me to say because, well, my husband right now is saying, “nah, surely God doesn’t want that from us” — so at the moment I’m not facing God “calling my bluff” LOL — not that I’m bluffing but oh, how much harder my words would be if I was facing a real opportunity.
Anyway – this is on my heart a lot. I am praying that God will prepare my family for whatever – to go or to stay – and guide us clearly, and that we would not miss His opportunities by assuming they aren’t for us.
Sorry to be so verbose …
Does going global mean that you have to be physically out of the States?
How do you know there is not a woman on the other side of the earth reading your blog and as a result, yearning to know more about Christ because of all of your references to HIM?
Multitudes of people from all nations are trickling into the States every year. Who will witness to them if everyone is overseas?
I deliberately didn’t read any of the other comments before I wrote this. I’ll go back and compare notes after I get this written.
I believe God still calls us individually as He did in Jesus’ day, as Jesus called all the disciples. Jesus called James, John and all the disciples by name, one at a time. Then He gave them tasks to do, some individual, personal tasks, some collectively. We are all included in the collective call–Matthew 28:19-20, The Great Commission. But I may be called to go further, as many of the disciples were called to leave their jobs and homes and go out to far-flung lands.
Summation: We are all called to go and make disciples wherever we may make our homes (Judea, Samaria, etc.) But God will call some of us to go further, leaving behind our families and homes to take the Gospel to those far away. Nowadays most missionaries take their spouses and children with them as they serve, so that’s another consideration.
Of course, just as when Jesus called people when He physically walked the earth, some people will refuse the call. They will make excuses and turn their back on God’s call for their lives. It’s a personal call, from God to an individual, and some will heed the call, some won’t.
After reading over this, I’m not satisfied it’s as clear as I wanted it to be, but maybe I got my point across.
Hope this helps, BooMama.
Ditto what Franknsteph said.
Oh, one other thought that Susan reminded me of …
both where I went to University and the local university in my town had significant international student populations. Many of these students come from “closed” countries. We were able to befriend and share our lives with a young woman from a Muslim country (one that is considered ‘unreached’ and 99.99% Muslim) where proselytizing and mission work are illegal. Our relationship with her opened doors when she went back for others who have gone, as tent makers, into that very closed country.
So, at this time God doesn’t seem to be sending US, but we can also reach out to find those who are here who are from some of those unreached places … and those “missions” are ones we can do WITH our families involvement. God has brought opportunities into our family priority that do not divide us.
I watched a wonderful John Piper sermon this week on Lightsource.com, entitled “Holy Ambition: To Preach Where Christ Has Not Been Named,” (linked on my blog) where he addresses this *very* issue, using the exact verses you listed. He distinguishes between “evangelism” and “missions,” and what we are called as Christians to do concerning both of those. (Yes, we are called to both.) If you are wrestling, this message could offer some clarity. :)
I agree with y’all. I guess what’s thrown me for such a loop is that I felt like this person was saying that I should GO, REGARDLESS – that even if I don’t feel “called” by God to go right now, I should go anyway. And that, at least to me, means that I would be going to satisify other people instead of going to fulfill God’s call.
And we ARE willing – willing to go wherever and serve whosoever if that’s the direction God leads us – but I’ve always thought that kind of commitment – even for a short-term trip – should only be made after much prayer, much study, and an undeniable call.
Y’all know how I am…when I don’t understand where someone is coming from, I re-examine an issue from every single angle to make sure I’m seeing the big picture…and y’all are helping me to do that.
I’m grateful.
Sorry- the Piper sermon I mentioned above is out of Romans 15. Another link on my blog is to a DTS Chapel lecture on “The Commissions of Jesus,” specifically referencing the scriptures you posted. (Can you tell I’m “wrestling” as well? ;))
I think you have to look at your gifts too. If that is not your area of expertise, yet you have the ability to fund a missionary, you are in a way, bringing the good news to others. I think when others try to pigeon hole us into work, we are not listening to the will of the Father.
But if God wants you in some position/role/service, I think he can get you there.
If we lived in a place that was 100% Born-Again Christian then yes, maybe you would need to go somehwere else to spread the gospel. But until we do, your mission field is right outside your front door…
these type of questions make lots of answers, so I’ll just share what I know.
Isaish 52:7 is a beautiful and well know verse. Verse 8 speaks of watchmen.
Start looking throught the bible to what the wathcmen do, God sets them there to . . .guard, warn (accountibility),help (physially, financially and through encouragement), and protect (prayer among other ways).
So you are a messenger bringing good news, or your a watchman . . . one or the other.
Notice in vers 8-9 the reward is THE SAME for both of them. Thats important to know.
Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”
I know some people are called to missions overseas and I am SO thankful for those people. I believe we ALL are to be “missional” (one of those new catch-phrases that kind of makes my teeth itch). I teach 2nd grade part-time. What a weenie, nothing job, right? I still have days off to take care of my family and hang out with friends while people on the other side of the world are wondering when the water and/or electricity will be on next while they are being missionaries.
However, have you looked around? Who says God’s most hurting and lost children aren’t in your own backyard? I look at it this way — WE are “overseas” to someone! :-) I have a child in my class who was spanked — with a hot pan. I have interviewed (for a job with a non-profit) a 5th grader who had no idea where dad was, mom was in jail for neglect, all of his 6 (still living) siblings were scattered all over the country-side except for his brother, who had been killed by his drunk uncle. “The need dictates the call?” There is a HUGE need here.
I think maybe you’ve hit on one of my hot-buttons I was unaware I had! — who is going to help the hurting and lost here in this country if everyone thinks they have to go overseas?
I agree that a need doesn’t necessarily constitute a “calling”. And I also agree that what God wants is an obedient heart, ready to do His will. BUT not everyone is called to another country, to another place, but is required to search his own heart and be where we believe God wants us to be. We each must live by our own convictions (not someone else’s) and we will be held accountable only for those. If God wants us to have convictions, the Holy Spirit will lead us into them. When the Bible was written the world was not such a mobile place, and men were called into other regions to share the gospel. Today, other nations are among us, and we can certainly share with them w/o going very far. And I wholeheartedly agree that a family is a mission field (especially when they act like natives!!!) and that doing your job in your home is every bit important as being a missionary in another country. You are about to move to a new mission field (in a new neighborhood) so why not pray God will use you there until He calls you to another place???? And YOU my friend, will be used by Him because you have a desire to do what is right, and to glorify God. I look forward to hearing what God shows you and how he calls you to serve Him in the coming days/months/times to come.
I do have a question about your post “Rock It, Y’all”…when you said “I’m much more moderate, just as apt to lean to the left as to the right”, does this mean you consider yourself a democrat/liberal? I was confused because I did not think the words “Christian values” & “democrat” were used in the same sentence. Unless it were a political campaign, & we all know people will say just about anything to win a vote. Just wondering what that meant & where you stand on the “issues”? (All of this in respect, of course, I’m not trying to post to offend or anything). I think our first “ministry” is to have the RIGHT person (and I far as the issues go, I think that means Republican) in the office leading our country!! I would love to hear you point of view.
The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist church (sorry if anyone doesn’t like “us”), requires a couple to both feel called. The husband can’t be dragging his wife into something she doesn’t really want to do, and vice versa. I think a couple needs to agree together what “mission opportunites” they should participate in. My husband took a trip to Belize this summer and is going to Uganda (in Africa) in January. Purpose? To reach and teach, mostly teaching pastors and lay people about cults, his “expertise” is Mormonism. Second purpose, to see where we’ll serve after he graduates in May with a masters of divinity degree in apologetics. My purpose? Support him and be without him during this time, he took vac time, etc to do this. I never felt more prayer support during this time though, our church was looking after us and praying for us the entire time!
So does your question hit home? Yes. I’ve also struggled, I felt a call towards missions in college but not sure how it would play out (probably 11 years ago). I’m not very “evangelistic” myself, something I definitely need to work on. Having 3 children age 5 and under, and pregnant again is pretty time-consuming.
I agree with the previous comments about being willing, I think of the song by Rebecca St. James about Send Me. I also agree that financial support is needed, we won’t be going anywhere unless we have it (contrary to most SBC we’re not going through the IMB). I also agree that your “mission field” can be family and hometown but MANY use this as an excuse b/c they’re not willing to give up comfort zone/American wealth/family safety to go serve somewhere else.
Have I stepped on any toes yet? Probably so, but if you’re still reading I do have a *great idea* to help support missions, donate your frequent flyer miles to a missions organization. My husband’s airfare to Belize was paid for this way – made his trip much cheaper, normally airfare is the most expensive part of a trip.
Just a quick thought…
Look at Peter and at Paul for example.
Paul traveled all over the known world. Peter, while he traveled some, generally stayed closer to home.
All parts of the same body… all serve different functions with different callings and giftings.
And maybe your job is just being the amazing mother I’m sure you are so that your little one will grow to be a missionary to the far corners of the earth. Your job is just as vital.
Thanks for sharing your “struggles” with us all. It’s good to see where God is poking and proding others- and how he uses others struggles to poke a little at me too!
Since everyone else has made great spiritual points and pointed out truths that I believe hold true, I will just confess that I spent years being terrified that once I really committed to Christ that His first order of business would be to send me to live with some remote Aborigine tribe in the middle of some rainforest. Instead, He sent me to be a part of a high school ministry in the middle of an upper middle class suburb, which honestly, I was much better equipped for and He knows that because He’s the one that equipped me.
Yes, all of us have our mission field but just as we are all different parts of the body, we all have different fields. All lost souls are equally important to Him regardless of geographical location. :)
The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class would be a great way to help you think through what you are called to do about God’s heart to reach all nations! Check out http://www.perspectives.org to find one near you! This class is awesome and every Christian should take it-it will change your perspective!
I couldn’t help but think saying “we should go even if it is not a specific calling” is really just hide-n-speak for “we should fill a void left be the unwilling, even if God doesn’t tell us to.” I’m sorry to sound so feisty, but this very issue became a real source of diligent prayer for me some time ago concerning a minsitry within my own church. And what God showed me was, really feeling like I had to fill a void that the called parties refused was saying to Him that “I don’t think You can get this done without me taking control of the situation.” God was not pleased with my martyrdom and I am still climbing out of hole I dug (as far as neglecting my homemaker role) but I learned an invaluable lesson. We should always be willing (and we are), but we should also always be willing to accept the less notorious callings – if that means “JUST” raising up godly children. For my husband and I, foreign field mission work would have been outright blasphemy since his mother was widowed with young sons at home. Our “field” was to care for the widows and the orphans in our own family, even though we were under so much pressure (not conviction)otherwise. And here’s how you’ll know the difference. God is not the author of confusion. He would give you an overwhelming push and a peace about anything He was calling you to do. I think Satan uses the old “she’s ONLY raising her own family!” thing SO MUCH these days. Sorry to ramble on and on. I just get so excited by this topic because God taught me so much about it in our church situation.
Didn’t read all the comments ’cause I have my own little mission field of two clamoring for mommy’s attention. . .but do you have a site meter? Can you tell the areas of the globe from which your hits come? Is that not global? Is sharing your love of Christ and your family and your commitment to your faith and your God via this blog NOT a mission field? See–we hear a lot and talk a lot about putting God in a box–and we abhor the thought, so why do we put ourselves in boxes?
Being salt and light in our daily lives? Well. . .a sermon lived is much more powerful sometimes than a sermon preached, sister.
I have felt the same way about the issue of foster children. . .or homeschooling. . .or adoption. . .or church work. . .but God will use us when and where we are most definitely if we have a heart for service.
I teach in a public middle school. In my first period class ALONE I have a child who is dyslexic and can barely read, a kid who has been removed from his parent’s home (along with his sister) by CPS and is living with a blood aunt who wants them and an uncle by marriage who doesn’t, another girl whose father died two years ago, a child whose parents recently divorced necessitating his mother getting a job to support the two of them after having to move out of their home–and he is in daycare from 2:30-8:00 weekdays. I am not in the jungles of Brazil or in remotest Timbuktu, but I most definitely AM in a mission field.
And so are you. I only know you via blawg. . .but you shine your light, girl. Never underestimate that. Remember the story of Elijah where God was in the still small voice? Well. . .each day of our lives we can be the still small voice to someone no matter where we are.
Had to throw in one more thing after reading the comment above mine. . .Satan most definitely picks away at our insecurities–making us feel like we aren’t enough when we are. Our congregation lost a wonderful minister two years ago–we loved him and he loved us–he and his wife DID NOT want to leave. . .but his father had macular degeneration, his mother had alzheimers, his wife’s mother was dead and her father had severe diabetes, and his sister had a massive heart attack and had been the main care giver for his parents. All those people lived in middle Tennessee and he and his wife were with us in Houston.
God tells us to take care of our families. . .he also tells us to leave them. . .but there are times and seasons for both. I commend our previous minister and his wife for their hard decision. They left the mission field of Houston but went to serve elsewhere and I think it was totally called for.
Ditto what Roxanne said. (so glad I didn’t have to write all that!). You are being a missionary in your daily life. You touch so many hearts and give joy and laughter to all those who read your blog.
And, (you know I HAVE to throw this in) the words “Christian values” and “Democrat” are not mutually exclusive!)
Could someone (Liz) please shed more light on “democratic values”? For all of the “big stuff” (ie: abortion, stem cell research, war on terror, gay marriage..etc) I know where I stand & I have never seen a true liberal take a definite stand on these issues with Christian values. Everything is “no response”, “PC” or “what do the ‘people’ want”. How are “Christian values” & “Democrat” NOT mutally exclusive? If it looks like a rat & smells like a rat, well…
Just for the record: I’m far too Southern and far too lighthearted to let the comments at my little blawg become a forum for a political debate. It just isn’t my thing. There are some great blogs out there for that type of discussion, but this isn’t one of them. And, Lord willing, it never will be.
So…carry on. And be sweet.
I mean it! :-)
Lots of great thoughts here. I wrestle with some of the same things. I think “the other sarah” really summed up what I might have said about all of this. Generally, I’d say we are definitely ALL called to evangelism. Missions, however, (at least the way I understand it) is not something God calls us all to… but I believe we do have a responisibility to support missions in any way God enables us.
I know Cyndi referenced a Piper sermon, so I don’t know how much overlap there would be, but he also addresses the issue of who “stays” and who “goes” in his book Don’t Waste Your Life. You might pick it up. (And I could look through and let you know where, specifically, he talks about that if you don’t want to read the whole book.)
The one thought I would add is this: there is nothing inherent in mothering that withholds us from missions. I don’t think you were saying this, but I kind of cringe at the response “I can’t do missions because I am raising a family right now.”
The fact is that our children learn so much from the example we set. And how sad if the example they see is of their parents ignoring the call of God. Bottom line: We can TAKE OUR CHILDREN WITH US and STILL BE THEIR MOTHERS if we are missionaries. This applies to short term missions as well as careers. When I went overseas in 2000 for a month, I was DELIGHTED to see that some of the people who came for a two week mission actually brought their children. IMO, taking kids with you on missions teaches them so much about the authenticity of their parents’ walk as well as the need for global missions. Bravo to parents who heed the call AND TAKE THEIR KIDS WITH THEM!
I think part of it comes down to what does “feel called” or “be called” mean?
I think some of us get sidetracked thinking we have to have some Big Dream one night, spoken to by an angel, or just *know* one day …
that’s the reason I feel so passionate about the being willing – even perhaps starting to pursue the “could you mean me, Lord?” question — take the Perspectives course (I haven’t yet, but want to) or talk to some missionaries you know, and lay the question out there “Could it be us? because we’re willing to go IF He calls us …” and see if it *becomes* a calling.
I have friends who initially wanted to go to an “unreached” country for all the wrong reasons, LOL – their company stationed people there short-term, and those people “moved up the ladder” and came back wealthy. So my friends opened up that door and asked, “do you want us to go there, Lord?” — and over *years* and much prayer, in the end, the Lord led them to quit the company with the upwardly mobile ladder, but to give their lives, their all, to the same people group — developed in them over time a clear passionate love for that people, and a clear calling, and worked out the details in a completely different way than their first thoughts.
but anyway, 10 years ago when they started praying about it, they didn’t “feel called” … and now they certainly are.
I think, in general, God would prefer to close the doors on a willing inquiry than to have to zap us out of our comfort zones with mystical callings. It’s easier to steer a car in motion, and all that.
does that make any sense? LOL!!!
Thanks for the Piper sources – both of ’em.
And Lori, I agree with you about taking the kids along, letting them see their parents live out their faith and their walk. My next door neighbor does that better than just about anyone I know. I think my biggest question in all of this is whether or not everyone is obligated to serve globally…that’s the part I’m wrestling with more than any other.
The unreached may be your next door neighbors…or the person you stand next to in line at the grocery store…or the parents of children your children meet and want to play with. God is probably using you right now in ways you can never fathom…even through this blog. God is also not a god of chaos…so I say, rest…and know that God is God…and listen for his prompting.
I’m coming out of hiding to comment on the aspect of being in overseas missions with small children. I live ‘overseas’ (unless you’re from here!) with 4 children 5 and under. I have no doubt that God led us here for this time and that is necessary knowledge, as far as I’m concerned. Without that, I would not have returned after our recent trip ‘home’. (Even though I truly love living here.) Also, I cling to the verse in Isaiah that talks about God being like a shepherd and says, “He gently leads those that have young.” (Sorry, can’t remember the reference right now.) If he calls while our children are young, then he provides the grace to obey.
I also am wrestling with this issue, due to the fact that we may not choose to stay for a second term, and it’s hard for me to leave behind my fear of what others will think of that choice. The real question is: Where does God want us? If that answer is ‘back home’, then it’s wrong for us to be over here! Living ‘overseas’ in disobedience is not better than living at ‘home’ in obedience.
Hope that makes some sense!
If EVERYONE left to be missionaries, who would reach the people with whom you now have contact? I believe God is the one who calls. It is not for anyone to try to be God and use a false sense of guilt to manipulate people, even if the goal seems good. We wives and mothers don’t have the ability to make these decisions – not saying we aren’t CAPABLE of making them – we are under our husband’s leadership and are to go first to our own “Jerusalem”: our home.
I didn’t read all the comments, but the first bunch pretty well said what I’d say.
I think the important thing is that we OBEY whatever God calls us to do – no excuses. And no, not everyone is called to serve overseas or anywhere but their own community. A lot of times, we hear the calling, but choose to ignore it. Some people will serve in whatever capacity without being called and they’ll do so for the wrong reasons. These are some of the things that will be addressed the Judgement Seat of Christ (when believers are judged). “Did you do what I asked? Did you serve for the right reasons?” and so forth.
It’s good that you’re struggling with this, BooMama. We should all be.
Hi, I saw your blog from “In The Midst Of It.” Just to comment on your post, we’ve been “home” a year now, after serving 3 years as IMB missionaries overseas…had our first child there…we are now returning full time in January, this time taking 2 babies…an almost 2 year old and a 5 month old. I agree we are called to our family first, but I also think we can serve them while serving overseas…just my opinion.
You probably know this is near and dear to my heart. I think your question is honest and worthy of discussion. Even though we are preparing to take our young children to the far off mission field, I don’t claim to have all of the answeres. But I do know that we are all “called” to be witnesses – some of us to our own homes (Jerusalem), some to our neighbors (Samaria), and some to the world. Just as the Holy Spirit gives us different gifts so we can operate together as the Body of Christ, each doing our own part, so he calls some of us to be his witness in different places.
That being said, the most important thing that others have pointed out, is being willing and obedient to go wherever he does lead and prompt you to go. Many are ignoring the fact that they should be witnessing to their extended families. Others are not reaching out to their neighbors. I also think there are far too many Christians who are ignoring the call to leave everything behind and go overseas where the need is so great. No, not everyone is called to that. But I believe there are many more that should be going than are right now. If that is his will for your life, I think you will receive a peace and a confirmation from other mature Christians around you (most importantly your husband). And being a good mother, and ministering to the mission field that is your family can happen wherever you are all together! (even the ends of the earth)
Living in obedience in not a matter of “where” you are but rather being willing to be “wherever” he has called you to be.
Sorry that was so long. Thanks for pondering this question and sharing it with us.
Hi BooMama! I have been lurking around your place for a while and I didn’t think that I would ever comment…I’m just quiet that way. :) But anyway, I thought that I would share my daughter’s story, hopefully a short version. Jessica was called to be a missionary at a pretty young age. She went on missionary trips and then went to Bible college and majored in cross-cultural missions. She searched and prayed and finally felt that the Lord wanted her to serve in the former Soviet Union, Ukraine in particular. She did her internship in Ukraine then came back to the US and went to Russian Language Ministries to study Russian for a year. She went back to Ukraine and worked with a couple in an established mission church. This couple’s term was ending and they were turning the church over to the Ukrainian leadership and coming back to the US for a time. Jessica too had to come back and find a new mission to work with. It is very hard for a single young woman to be on the mission field. Well, to make it a bit shorter…. Doors kept closing and nothing was coming together in any foreign mission work for her. She had been taking care of four children here in our home town. They had been through a very rough time. Their sister had died, their mom went a bit wacky and there was a very messy divorce in which the daddy got full custody. After her last trip to Italy (which she really loved and wanted to serve there) she came home and prayed. The more she prayed the more these children were being embed into her heart. Finally she gave in and stayed home to care for four hurting children…..fell deeply in love with them and with their very gentle daddy. They were married a year ago.
I think that the mission field is every where including our homes. Sometimes we are called to go…..and sometimes we are called to stay, but always called to love and serve and share the Gospel of Jesus no matter where we are. Jessica still has a desire to go, and someday she and her dear husband would love to go. But right now she is content in knowing that this is her mission field. We need to keep that openness with the Lord so we can discern where he wants us to serve. Sometimes it is much harder to stay and preach the gospel to the people we know than to go to a foreign mission field.
My hubby and I had given our daughter to the Lord to send where His Will took her. He sent her back and gave us not only her presence, but a son and four absolutely beautiful grandchildren… God is so good!!!
blessings, Zuda Gay
My husband and I were missionaries in Poland and when we made the decision to go, it was incredibly clear to us both. Did I want to go? Not so much…but I chose to obey what I felt God so clearly leading us to do and God showered us with blessings. We are back in the U.S. now and feel certain that this is where God wants us now. Could we have gone without people praying for us? Absolutely not. Could we have gone without people supporting us financially? Nope. I don’t think the Bible says we have to all go overseas to serve Him…there are so many other ways to serve Him missionally. It’s so great to have missionaries that you pray for and even support financially. I have small children now and the thought of going overseas even for a short term trip scares me a little, to be quite honest. But, we do support several missionary families and we’re teaching our 4 year old to pray and give part of his allowance too. (He gets a whopping $4.00/week…but every little bit helps!) We’re also thinking Compassion International would be a cool and tangible thing to do with our kids.
So, all that to say…I do not think God expects everyone to go overseas. (But if you do feel Him nudging you in that direction, don’t run like Jonah, go, you will be amazingly blessed.) I think he loves to see us give sacrificially to missions. I think he expects us to pray for missionaries. But I know He expects us to be his witnesses wherever we are.
Acts 1:8 says “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Your Jerusalem could be your neighborhood, your Judea could be your city, the ends of the earth could be Poland. Just be a witness wherever God has you.
My seminary husband has told me that the literal interpretation of the “great commission” passage is “As you are going…” We see “go” and think it means we have to leave what we know and go to some foreign place. But if we read it “as you are going” then it takes on a slightly different meaning. Yes, all Christians are to share the gospel. But that does not necessarily mean we all have to pack up and go somewhere.
Needless to say, I basically agree with the rest of the commenters here.
I skimmed the first few comments and saw many that reflected how I feel so I probably don’t need to comment. But I will anyway. :)
I firmly believe that we are to preach the Gospel at all times, in all places, to all people. Does that mean we need to leave our countries? NO. Yes, some are called to leave. Some are even called to die. I know of a family with young children in Albania. The mother just died from cancer a few months ago. But nothing will tear them away from that country. But not everyone is called to do that. Like another poster said, we’re overseas to someone else. And since I can name at least 10 unbelievers in the houses right around me, why would I need to go elsewhere? Oh, I know. Because it’s easier to share the Gospel with someone I’ll never see again than the person I have to see at every neighborhood party.
And of course, there are our children. Some children see Christ because their parents take them to foreign lands. Other see Christ because their parents invite the unloved into their homes for dinner. Others see Christ through how their parents treat every person they meet, from the cashier at the grocery store to the police officer who pulls them over for speeding. Do this make sense?
Our nation is so desperate for the love of God. We are surrounded by people who are hurting and broken and lost. If we can’t take care of our own homes, in this case our own country, what do we have to take to others? I suppose I also mean our children. If our children leave the faith, if they reject the love of God because they haven’t seen it in our homes, what do we have to offer the lost in the Sudan? And like another poster said, if we all leave, who will reach the lost here? Remember, the apostles started churches. All those people stayed in their own homes, their own cities, their own countries. And that is how the Gospel spread. The apostles didn’t preach to every single person who became a Christian. But someone did. Someone who lived in their neighborhood, shopped at their market, sold them their clothes.
I’m all for missions. I’ve been involved with numerous organizations and have ministered in several countries. But I know my place is here, and not just because my husband doesn’t feel a call elsewhere. I know it because I see the hurting people around me and know that God loves them just as much as He loves the people in China.
I need my own blog! Thanks for letting me have my say. :)