| Becoming personally engaged in missions starts with a desire
to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It's a seed planted
in every Chrtistian by the Holy Spirit to fire up action. But desire alone
is insufficient for the task. It is, as the mathematicians say, a "necessary
but not sufficient condition" for effective action. The seed needs good
soil, a hoe, fertilizer and hard work to bring it to fruition. Here are
seven steps for cultivating your seed:
1. Pray about it. Our God ia a God of surprises and loves to answer
our prayers. I wouldn't recommend asking Him to put you on the mission
field, however, unless you're prepared to go. Ask and it will be given,
knock and it will be opened. How much more will your heavenly father give
good things to
2. Catch the vision. Start reading good missions literature. There is a wealth of material available at minimal cost. Frontier Missions from the U.S. Center for World Mission is a good reference from the cutting edge of missions. Operation World provides excellent information about the needs of people groups throughout the world. Zero in on a group and pray specifically for them. The Internet has some great Homepages. Try the Christian Missions Home Page by clicking on that name right now. Today, with e-mail, a missionary is only a local phone call away. |
3. Assess your situation. Take a hard look at the
state of your health, finances, and commitments. How are they affecting
your mobility? Obstacles down the road generally loom larger than they
actually are. Remember that God can do impossible things, so don't let
apparent problems be the deciding factor in your life.
4. Think Globally; act locally. I hate bumper stickers, but I saw this one and thought it summed up pretty well the idea that lofty thoughts need dirt on their feet otherwise they're just passing clouds. Get involved with your local church missions committee. Write to your missionary friends and families. Don't just think missions - do it. 5. Seek good counsel. Seek the counsel of your pastor, elders, and Christian friends about your desire to serve. They usually have a more objective view of you and can offer valuable advice. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed."(Proverbs 15:22) 6. Find out where the action is. Servant Opportunities Network can help. When you are ready to make the move, let SON help you locate the right job in the right place. 7.Do it right now. Don't procrastinate. A friend of mine wears
a ring with the initials "DIRN" (Do It Right Now) on it to advise him not
to wait forever to do the important things in life. He's a habitual procrastinator
and needs the reminder. Go on a short-term mission if and when the opportunity
comes
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