Contributed by Darren Lim • Oct 15, 2024
I always have mixed feelings coming into Missions Weekend assigned to write. It seems to happen more frequently in recent years. Like Scripture, repetition is a call to attention and for careful consideration. I wonder if the Spirit is trying to tell me something.
The thought of giving everything up to pursue a missionary life conjures up the scene of the rich man who walked away sadly when Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and follow Him (Mark 10:17-22). Sure, it was to test the posture of his heart but in my mind, I wonder whether one could spot any difference in expression if we were to put me side-by-side with the dejected rich man. I am ashamed to admit that giving up the small comforts in my life for a life of uncertainty and hardship doesn’t even make my top 100 bucket list. I try to support in other ways, be it financially or through prayer.
The preacher, Caleb Brownhill, made a strong call to release more workers to the harvest. However, he also said that “Though not everyone is called to go but everyone is called to carry God’s Vision in our hearts”. Not to be hidden in the deepest vault within our hearts of hearts, no most definitely not! Rather to be a consistent conviction that drives us to reflect Jesus to others, day by day, maybe a little at a time.
Reflecting on the five characters of Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, Simeon and Anna. They all step out faithfully in their own ways, not necessarily to be martyrs but to continue being faithful, hoping, praying, preparing the next generation and role modelling obedience to God. Without faithful and righteous Elizabeth and Zechariah, we would never have had John the Baptist. Without Mary’s humility and obedience, she would have done everything in her capacity to prevent Jesus from taking up the cross. But instead, she stored all this up in her heart, even Anna’s prophecy that a sword will pierce her heart in Luke 1:35, indicating the kind of pain she would go through as a mother seeing all that will befall her beloved son.
Like the expression to not throw the baby out with the bath water, I am reminded to not throw missions out with the baptismal water. Being missional also means helping others within our family, social circles and community to experience Jesus through our lives. Yes, some in the body of Christ will go forth into the missions field. Yes, some will prepare others to do so. And yes, many will pray and support in other possible ways. But all are called to fully devote our life into making Jesus real in the lives of the people around us.