A little over 15 years ago, I was dragged ākicking and screaming” onto the mission field. You see, a friendās family had a mission doing great work in the country of Haiti, a place I honestly could not point to on a map at the time. He had asked me to come many times before and I always found an excuse. āI donāt like the heat.ā āI donāt look good in khaki!ā āI donāt own a pith helmet.ā etc. etc. The truth was that I was always scared of the word missions. I mean, people surrendered to missions. They had to surrender? Was it really that bad? Was it really that horrible of a calling? All I knew was that you had to really sacrifice your whole life, personality, wealth and other dreams to be a missionary! So obviously, I wanted to avoid it at all cost!
My friend finally wore me down and got me to go for three days, that was all⦠three days. At least, thatās what I thought. What happened during those three days changed my heart and my mindset about what it means to ādo missionsā.
During those three days and the subsequent years that have followed, I have learned that there is really no difference between what I do here in the United States and what I do in Haiti. I love people. I share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I try my best to meet the needs of the needy and I attempt to disciple and be discipled by those that God has put in my path. But isnāt that the call of every Christian every day? Itās tough work though, right?
In my new book, Living for Another, I talk about why so many of us love missions once we get involved. Itās because of the kind of person we are when we are āon the mission field.ā For one week, we are the person we always want to be. During that short stent; we are kind and loving, flexible, sacrificial and selfless. We pray more. We study Godās word differently. We are constantly aware of the needs of those around us whether they be physical, spiritual or emotional. We are ready to get involved and to serve. The question I am always asked by a team member on the last night of a mission trip is this: āHow do I keep this going when I get home?ā
Hereās the answer⦠Set your mind there āon missionā and leave it! Ā Ā Then let Christās heart change yours in the process.Ā There are two amazing abilities the Lord has placed in each one of us as his children. We can āset our mindsā and ālet our minds.āĀ Look:
Set Your Mind
āSet your minds on things above, not on earthly things.ā
Colossians 3:2
Let Your Mind
āLet this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.ā
Philippians 2:5
Both āsettingā and ālettingā are conscious, deliberate acts of continual surrender to Christ daily. This requires getting into His word, praying and meditating on Christ every day. Itās in those times, when you set your mind on things above, that He will transform you by the renewing of your mind in His presence. Then go out in service. Open your eyes to those around you and ask that God show you His thoughts, His mind about the people He places in your path. And though we will never perfect it in these mortal bodies; setting and letting are excellent goals. I thank God that Heās constantly changing my mind. Thatās my prayer for you, tooā¦ā¦. even if He has to get you kicking and screaming š
BTW you can order Living for Another on all of the major booksellers right now.