I promised not to drag you down the road pointing out goats that Jesus loves and I’m going to stick with that plan. So today we start at the end of the trip.
I am still dumbfounded by the fact that I’m a missionary. This was my second missions trip. In my youth (and until a few years ago) I was firmly stuck in that place where missionaries were bringing the Bible to “the heathens” and converting them to Christianity. Picture pasty white people in white shirts and khaki pants waving crosses in the air and despairing of the souls of the locals. African Queen, etc. I’m way more Charlie Allnut (Humphrey Bogart) than Billy Graham.
That’s not at all what missionaries do in my world. I’m sure that it’s still a primary focus of some groups to bring the Gospel to people in a didactic form and actively win souls to Christ. But the missions I’ve been on (yeah, only two) were ones of service and giving. We didn’t do much preaching beyond saying Jesus loves you to the children and the sick that we tended to in our daily work. I’m not much of an evangelist when it comes down to it. I’d be lying if I said I understood the whole Bible, or even to say I’ve read every book and chapter and verse. (Working on it, but parts of the Old Testament kind of put me on the nod and it’s a struggle. No pop quizzes on Leviticus, please.)
But being a missionary isn’t about throwing out chapter and verse from the Bible, nor is it about bringing people to their knees in a flash of conversion. I think it’s showing that love through example and talking honestly about your faith with people you meet. That’s mission work as well.
Do you talk about your faith and your Christian walk with strangers? Is there a slightly embarrassed place in your heart that says “Don’t be some boring holy roller” when you start that conversation? Are you reluctant about even saying “I’ll pray about your cares and the calving season coming up?” (Hi, Randy!)
I’m not. So here we go:
Lord, let this season of birth and life be abundant for Randy and his cows. Let the joy and pride he talked about with his 15 year old son extend to all of his life. Let his son know that he is proud and honored by his actions in his father’s absence. Let his cows bring forth new life free of pain and loss. Let his farm prosper and his joy in his family and you grow each day until he is called to eternity with you. I ask this, Lord, on behalf of a fellow traveler on the walk of life. Amen.
That wasn’t hard, was it? Just a simple prayer for the man in seat 21D from Iowa.
Why don’t we share that faith? Why don’t we spread that ministry of our lives talking about the mission trip we are returning from? Why not talk about the blessing and protection of Jesus while walking the streets of Cite Soliel?
I will. I have. I’m doing it now. What’s keeping you from that witness?
