Looking At A Reason

One of the missionaries we help support posted a link. I enjoy sharing their views from the field, and this one has quite a bit to think about. Clicking on the title will take you to the full article:  10 Reasons Not To Become A Missionary.

That in itself is eye-catching. Aren’t we suppose to encourage people to ask God where He wants them? Shouldn’t we look at all possibilities, seeking to know His will – then follow through the doors He opens for us?  Why then think:

Don’t Become a Missionary if You Think You Are Going to Change the World.

Switch out one word: Don’t become a Christian if you think you are going to change the world.

Now, can you relate to the problem a little bit better? Christ changed people one at a time. He called His disciples one at a time.  Well, two at a time if you count Peter and Andrew, or James and John. Yes, He had crowds of people follow to hear Him preach and His feeding of the thousands did impact crowds, but the healing was one on one. The in-depth teaching was in small groups or one on one.

That leaves a lot of world untouched. It has taken two thousand years to get the word around to all parts of the world, and we haven’t reached every individual yet, though Christians have had a huge impact on the world.

Not all of it good. We tend to glaze over when someone mentions specifics where some Christians by name fail to show they were changed by God’s love. You see, that’s how people know we are His followers:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35 KJV)

Can we show that love without ever seeing a change in another person? It is essential we realize we cannot change any individual – we can tell them what changed us, but we cannot make them accept change.

Can we show that love for a long time without seeing results?

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV)

Planting seeds doesn’t change the world. Watering the crops doesn’t change the world. But, put them together with God’s planning and the world will be changed.

So – become a part of the whole process, enjoy the fruit from someone else’s planting, another’s watering and enjoy the God given increase that becoming a Christian really is. He'll let you know where your ministry will be.