October 23, 2010
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Missionary
Sometimes being a missionary is a 24 hour guilt trip. You see all these needs. You know you are needed–and sometimes you just do not have it in you. Sometimes you have to say “I know there are a million things more urgent to do or to give money to or time to, but I won’t right now.” And dang, the guilt.
I wish I were a god, that could go,go,go without stopping. That never needed a break or time to herself or using resources on herself. But I am not. Somedays I just need to stop. To be able to relax–no, the needs, the cries, the pleas have not stopped or even become softer–but I need earplugs for me. I need to be lead by still waters. I need to come to grips with the fact that as long as I am here on this earth, those needs, cries, and pleas will always be there; will always be a part of me.
That is what being a missionary is: you see and hear the problem, know you have the Answer, and work to connect them. This is no 9 to 5 job, it is the rest of your life. And in that, you have to learn how to care for your heart. How to let go of the guilt trip.
Comments (8)
I’m not a missionary per se, but I agree. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. But it’s a reminder of our weakness and our need to depend on Christ constantly and to rest in Him and draw on His strength, as well as our need to support and draw support from one another in the Body of Christ.
If everybody in church did something–just one thing to meet the needs around them, it would go a little better.
I saw this recommended and stopped by to read it.
I definitely needed to hear this. I’m working in China right now and am overwhelmed by everything.
Thanks for this post.
@naphtali_deer - very true…and i think it is about having a missionary heart…none of this missionary “per se” things. It has been a journey for me to call myself “a missionary,” only to have it mean something different to each person i meet…as well as changing in my own mind.
@ANVRSADDAY - i heartily agree!
@TravelingStranger - i said a prayer for you. watch as i get overwhelmed again tomorrow:). but but but…God is still good. God bless you stranger:).
@rwinzeler -
Thank you. God is so very good.
@rwinzeler - Amen. I agree w/ you: we are ALL missionaries, we are ALL sent…for the rest of our lives b/c our lives are not our own.
Numbers 6:24-26.
@TravelingStranger - Praying for you to know His perfect peace. Isaiah 26:1-4.