Over the last twenty plus years in missions I have learned we go through seasons. We are currently on a furlough, and it is times like these where you can see things in a way which brings greater clarity.
There is something which slowly and subtely was missing from my missions. I was not misusing ministry funds or walking in immorality.
But my focus had drifted.
Not even to bad things.
If our focus is on our product, numbers, programs, or fundraising strategies, we are not practicing missions. Our efforts may be closer to business or entrepreneurial endeavors.
Often when we feel consumed by these things, we remind ourselves that the focus should be the people. We look to serve, to bless, to lift out of poverty or rescue out of injustice.
While these things are good, and in many ways a better focus, this still is not truly missions.
After awhile our mission begins to look like any other humanitarian organization. What is different from us and the Red Cross or the Red Crescent? How is our care of people unique to those in any other NGO or non-profit group? Are we the peace corp with a fish sticker on our bumper?
Are we guilty of missing God in missions?
The Apostle Paul is perhaps the greatest example of a life lived for God and doing it in a sold out manner. He was the greatest missionary in history, having suffered shipwrecks and multiple forms of persecution.
The mission was important for Paul, but it was not the core.
He created great programs and products.
His life influenced the masses, people everywhere were blessed.
But these were not the focus.
Paul’s primary focus was God himself.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” Phillipians 3:8-9 ESV
This passage was written while in prison! Being in prison, on mission, paled in comparison to knowing Christ!
What makes missions unique from entrepreneurial efforts or humanitarian causes is its focus first and foremost on the Creator. Missions must flow out of this.
Mission can become an idol. In other words, when living on mission replaces God; we have a problem.
I share this from a personal place of being stuck on this concept for months. A sabbatical or furlough is designed for this.
Refreshment, rejuvenation, but most of all Refocus.
Much of this post has been inspired by Skye Jethani’s book, With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. This is a fantastic, thought-provoking book I recommend to all.
I’ve blogged extensively on this in the last weeks and months. It is the place where God has me and is not letting me “move on.”
I wanted to share it with our Life Overseas community.
It is so easy to get busy. Without even realizing it, we find ourselves in a place of missing God in missions.
This challenge / encouragement does not come from a place of constant success.
Instead, I ask you to consider this from a fellow sojourner. From one who sees even more my need to keep my walk with God first and foremost in my missions endeavors.
Does this resonate? Do you disagree?
Other than an “official” furlough or sabbatical, how do you build in check ups to see how things are going?
Photo by By Nicola Perantoni
