Have you ever found yourself asking,
“What am I doing?”
“Is this worth it?”
“Is this what we signed up for?”
If so you are not alone in your emotions, although these feelings can make you feel very isolated.
Missions and any form of leadership carries with it an aspect of loneliness. Ordinary friendships become even more difficult when we take on these positions and roles.
Dan Allendar in his excellent book, Leading With A Limp, says “Loneliness also assaults a leader when he must absorb the inevitable expressions of disappointment from others. A leader bears loneliness, but also the guilt that comes with others disappointment.”
Have you experienced this?
As a missionary, we will have great successes, but also disappoint people and fail to live up to their expectations.
Sometimes the greatest loneliness in leadership comes on the heels of our greatest success.
Elijah experienced this immediately following his miraculous defeat of the prophets of Baal recounted in 1 Kings 18. Elijah just had the ultimate missionary newsletter headline.
One chapter later he finds himself on the run from Jezebel. Look at the conversation he has with God. (1 Kings 19)
Vs. 4 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Vs 10 “He said, “I have been jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
I’m the only one left!
Where are you God?
What am I doing?
God shows up in a still, small voice; reassuring him of His Presence, urging Elijah to get back to work. (1 Kings 19:11-16)
The reality of leadership and missions comes with a realization no one can fully understand all that we go through. Except God.
But even with this amazing gift of the presence of God, it feels lonely.
Dan Allender list the following loneliness inducing traits of a leader or missionary (also from Leading With A Limp.)
– The moment we take this role, others assign to us the power to do good or harm.
– Leaders often have information they are unable to share, constantly creating a situation where they could be misunderstood by people not seeing the whole picture of our decisions.
– Honoring confidentiality puts a leader in the direct path of gossip. The tough decisions which cannot be defended or explained leave leaders vulnerable and alone.
No one can fully understand a leader, what may hurt more…is often no one wants to.
This is inevitable at some point in life and ministry. When it happens, what are some things you can do minimize the loneliness?
1. Have good Relationships – with God first and foremost, but also extremely important is our time with our family and spouse. I would also advise we seek at least one other person who can be a confidant and friend.
2. Rest – Lack of rest makes loneliness even worse.
3. Take Inventory – Are you over committed? Are you priorities in line? Remind yourself of why you do what you do….daily!
What other tips can you offer missionaries and leaders who struggle with this. Or, if you are so bold, let our Life Overseas family know you struggle with loneliness so we can be a support to you.
– Chris Lautsbaugh, Missionary teacher and author with Youth With A Mission, living in S. Africa.
Blog: NoSuperHeroes Twitter: @lautsbaugh Facebook: NoSuperHeroes
