Expectations
We are glad you are considering how God could use you in missions!
What should you expect? When missionaries come with unrealistic expectations it sets them up for failure. There is a vast difference between fantasy and reality.
Fantasy-
While we have probably never verbalized these fantasy expectations, most of us have imagined (or really, really hoped for) some variation of the following:
Getting started raising support will be “Plug and Play” simple. Create a few Facebook posts and you are off to the races! Once friends, family and recluse billionaires living on private islands hear of your desire to serve the Lord, they will begin asking how they can financially support you.
You will experience a mid-Atlantic revival. Many habitual sins like anger, impatience, lust, greed & selfishness get left on American soil. When the plane touches down in your new country, you will emerge patient, selfless and ready to suffer for Jesus (as long as you get your daily double caramel latte with cream at the drive through Starbucks).
Jet lag only lasts a day and then you will be eager to start learning your new language. You will pick up the language quickly by sitting at coffee shops for 4 hours a day and just becoming accustomed to hearing the language. The large doses of caffeine will help stimulate your brain to help with vocabulary retention. After a couple months you will suddenly find yourself able to converse like a local and share the gospel with those you meet.
Revival will probably occur within the first year after arriving on the field.
Wouldn’t that be nice!
Reality-
I can’t promise any of those things, but here is the reality:
Has God laid missions on your heart?
My challenge to you is this:
Let your answer be “Yes” before God has ever spoken.
God rarely gives us a detailed map of our life before we embark. He wants us to take steps to follow him, just like Abraham who set out “not knowing where he was going”. (Heb. 11:8)
Take the next steps of faith:
We would love to help you make this faith journey, but the first step is one you alone must take:
Your answer needs to be “Yes” before God has ever spoken.
If that is you, let’s talk.
What should you expect? When missionaries come with unrealistic expectations it sets them up for failure. There is a vast difference between fantasy and reality.
Fantasy-
While we have probably never verbalized these fantasy expectations, most of us have imagined (or really, really hoped for) some variation of the following:
Getting started raising support will be “Plug and Play” simple. Create a few Facebook posts and you are off to the races! Once friends, family and recluse billionaires living on private islands hear of your desire to serve the Lord, they will begin asking how they can financially support you.
You will experience a mid-Atlantic revival. Many habitual sins like anger, impatience, lust, greed & selfishness get left on American soil. When the plane touches down in your new country, you will emerge patient, selfless and ready to suffer for Jesus (as long as you get your daily double caramel latte with cream at the drive through Starbucks).
Jet lag only lasts a day and then you will be eager to start learning your new language. You will pick up the language quickly by sitting at coffee shops for 4 hours a day and just becoming accustomed to hearing the language. The large doses of caffeine will help stimulate your brain to help with vocabulary retention. After a couple months you will suddenly find yourself able to converse like a local and share the gospel with those you meet.
Revival will probably occur within the first year after arriving on the field.
Wouldn’t that be nice!
Reality-
I can’t promise any of those things, but here is the reality:
- Missions is rarely easy, but it is always worth it.
- God is still looking for people who will commit their life to serving God, wherever it takes them.
- If you aren’t growing in your walk and serving him NOW, nothing changes when you get to overseas.
- You probably won’t have the house of your dreams, but I hear that the real estate in heaven makes up for it.
- Learning the local language is hard, but it is the door to ministering effectively to the hearts of people.
- The low hanging fruit has been picked. It takes years of consistent ministry, often in difficult areas, to see lasting impact.
- You might not find a Starbucks.
Has God laid missions on your heart?
My challenge to you is this:
Let your answer be “Yes” before God has ever spoken.
God rarely gives us a detailed map of our life before we embark. He wants us to take steps to follow him, just like Abraham who set out “not knowing where he was going”. (Heb. 11:8)
Take the next steps of faith:
- Commit to follow the Lord wherever he leads.
- Talk to your pastor.
- Talk to us or other missionaries and begin prayerfully seeking where God would have you serve.
We would love to help you make this faith journey, but the first step is one you alone must take:
Your answer needs to be “Yes” before God has ever spoken.
If that is you, let’s talk.
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We'd love to get to know you and discuss how God is calling you.
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