Ironically,
the longer one stays on the mission field, the more difficult it becomes to
leave. Instead of “doing his time” and “getting it out of his system,” the
missionary may very well find that the burden which brought him to the mission
field in the first place has only grown stronger and is keeping him there.
Being aware of a need is one thing, but to actually see it with one’s own eyes
is another. It will change a person’s life forever. Any thoughts of leaving
make the missionary uneasy and heavy-hearted. And if he stays long enough, he
may find that he cannot leave. Is this a price I’m willing to pay?
Now that some
may be questioning whether the price is too great, let’s consider the
alternative. What if you never become a missionary? What price is to be paid
then? While being a missionary is unquestionably hard, I sincerely believe that
not being a missionary is even harder. Keeping the gospel to yourself is
like trying to hold a live coal in your hands. Admittedly some have become so
callused that it doesn’t bother them very much, if at all. However, if you have
any appreciation for what the Lord has done for you and are the least bit
concerned about the lost and dying world, how easy is it to sit idly by and do
nothing? “O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a
noise in me; I cannot hold my peace . . . . But His word was in my heart like a
burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could
not” (Jeremiah 4:19; 20:9b NKJV).
On the other
side of counting the cost are the dividends of your investment. I honestly feel
sorry for those who allow their fears and doubts to hold them back and never
get to experience the extraordinary missionary life. I have met few
missionaries who have regrets about what they have chosen to do. Surely one can
stay home and avoid all the apprehension, anxiety, homesickness, frustration,
culture shock, et al., but consider how very much will be forfeited.
Missionary
work offers unique challenges that are hard to find in other professions, and
consequently tremendous spiritual, mental, and emotional growth is inevitable.
It has been said that the strongest trees grow in the wind, and the apostle
Paul was almost certainly the caliber of man he was because of his missionary
experiences (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18). It doesn’t take a spiritual giant to
become a missionary, but it is nearly impossible to remain spiritually dwarfed
on the mission field. This honorable, worthwhile, and rewarding vocation is
anything but dull, monotonous, or boring. It is challenging,
character-building, and life-changing.
On the mission
field the Bible seems to come to life in a more vivid way than in other
environments. I have met several people in the course of my missionary work who
have reminded me of characters I’ve read about in the Bible. It is so amazing
to encounter a modern-day Cornelius or Lydia or Timothy and to see the word of
God transform their lives before your very eyes. Working with people for whom
the gospel is new, fresh, and exciting has great rewards. There are no
preconceived misconceptions about the church of Christ. Non-essential cultural
baggage is more easily stripped away as the Bible is studied and applied
afresh. Fundamentals are not taken for granted. Ethnic integration, a real
family atmosphere among brethren, and even the inevitable problems are all reminiscent
of the early days of Christianity.
Although “sacrifice”
is viewed by many as a dirty word and as something to be avoided if at all
possible, it tends to be blown way out of proportion. We live in a society that
stresses comfort, security, convenience, luxury, and the accumulation of
material things. People want to be happy and feel good, but they don’t want to
give, to be inconvenienced, or to make sacrifices. That’s why so many end up
miserable and discontent. Yet sacrifice is an integral part of being a
Christian (Romans 12:1), and this is not because the Lord wants us to lose out
on anything advantageous – to the contrary!
Those who tend
to emphasize the sacrificial aspect of missionary work are usually the ones who
have never done it. But often what may initially look like a sacrifice or a
hardship turns out to be a doorway into a life of tremendous blessings (cf.
Mark 10:30; Luke 9:24). While God is not primarily interested in our comfort
and convenience, he is interested in blessing people through us, and
consequently blessing us in the process. As a missionary I in no way feel
slighted or deprived. I actually feel bad for those who have not had the same
opportunities and experiences that I have been privileged to have. Any
so-called sacrifices fade into insignificance when compared to things like
close friendships around the world, souls won to Christ and headed for heaven,
established and growing churches, new cultures, exotic foods, breath-taking
scenery, and a multitude of priceless memories. To experience the Lord working
in your life and in the lives of those around you puts the concept of “sacrifice”
into a whole new perspective. You never have to be afraid of God or of what he
will do if you unreservedly put your life into his hands.
To be a
missionary or not to be a missionary, that is the question. There is a price to
be paid either way. Wanting to make a difference in this world is a noble
pursuit, but how much greater is the aim of making a difference in eternity.
With the Lord’s help, the potential impact you can make, along with all others
who are willing to take up the challenge, is unfathomable. “The harvest truly
is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).
--Kevin L. Moore
*Adapted from my
book, The Single Missionary [2002] 77-85.
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