i’ve been meaning to post this blog for quite some time. i read a book called God’s Smuggler while i was in the Philippines and it was probably one of the best books i’ve ever read. it was a great example of what it means to be a missionary & to truly follow and trust in God.
one of my favorite quotes from the book is this:
“‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-36, 40. Don’t you see… you cannot provide drink or clothes, or visit the sick and imprisoned, unless you are there.
the call is simply to be there.”
it’s a really simple statement, and a really simple concept… but for some reason that impacted me so much. i think i [and a lot of others in the church] have this preconceived idea of what it means and looks like to be a missionary and that all of these special skills are required. but honestly, presence is enough to change lives sometimes. you don’t have to be an incredible speaker, be super intelligent about the Bible, play a musical instrument, or be a doctor in order to be a missionary. you simply have to be willing to BE THERE.
if you just take the step of being there, God will use you. giving somebody something to eat…giving them clothes…visiting them in prison…looking after them when they are sick…these things don’t require great skills, they require simply being present. listening, encouraging, giving of your time, attention, and affection. sometimes those things are the greatest testimony & more meaningful then running a program.
God commands us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….” He doesn’t say “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations IF you speak the language, play guitar, or having a degree in teaching.” He simply says to GO. BE THERE.
