If you're a Christian the concept of missions shouldn't be far from your mind. Truthfully, you should already think of yourself as a missionary and if you don't you might need to revisit Matthew 28 for a refresher course on your duties as a believer.
I used to have the attitude that being sent away from the Body, and subsequently being sent out into to my mission field, some 7000 miles away, was some sort of divine punishment or chastisement. Nothing could be more wrong. In fact, I find that I am afforded more concentrated time for the pursuit and study of God's word while I'm sitting in some barren desert surrounded by those who are still in open hostility toward Him. I'll admit it sounds pretty counter intuitive but I have found that during the times that I am separated from the Church is when I truly come to a point of absolute dependence. Its so easy to become lackadaisical about scripture reading and prayer while I'm home because there are a million and one things that grab for my attention here in the States. That's not to say there aren't difficulties associated with the times that I'm away. Indeed its just as difficult to discipline one's self in order to take the time to really feast upon the meat and potatoes in God's word. Its sort of like cooking for one. It tends gets old, quickly, but it gives me a new appreciation for all the "cooking" my pastors and teachers do back home. There is a hungry body of believers that gathers together several times each week to be fed and while its certainly more fun to cook for large groups, practically speaking, it sure does require a lot of time and preparation.
Thus, I can now look at these times that I'm sent away not as curses, but as real blessings, that not only help me to grow closer to God, but as opportunities to really appreciate the work that he has sent aside for His people and the desire He has to see us grow in all wisdom and maturity as they pertain to spiritual things.
I used to have the attitude that being sent away from the Body, and subsequently being sent out into to my mission field, some 7000 miles away, was some sort of divine punishment or chastisement. Nothing could be more wrong. In fact, I find that I am afforded more concentrated time for the pursuit and study of God's word while I'm sitting in some barren desert surrounded by those who are still in open hostility toward Him. I'll admit it sounds pretty counter intuitive but I have found that during the times that I am separated from the Church is when I truly come to a point of absolute dependence. Its so easy to become lackadaisical about scripture reading and prayer while I'm home because there are a million and one things that grab for my attention here in the States. That's not to say there aren't difficulties associated with the times that I'm away. Indeed its just as difficult to discipline one's self in order to take the time to really feast upon the meat and potatoes in God's word. Its sort of like cooking for one. It tends gets old, quickly, but it gives me a new appreciation for all the "cooking" my pastors and teachers do back home. There is a hungry body of believers that gathers together several times each week to be fed and while its certainly more fun to cook for large groups, practically speaking, it sure does require a lot of time and preparation.
Thus, I can now look at these times that I'm sent away not as curses, but as real blessings, that not only help me to grow closer to God, but as opportunities to really appreciate the work that he has sent aside for His people and the desire He has to see us grow in all wisdom and maturity as they pertain to spiritual things.
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