Have you ever felt like you were totally pouring your heart into a project but nobody cared? You were being diligent, thrifty, and doing some really good stuff. Still no one seemed to notice. It was frustrating and discouraging. You wanted to quit.
This sometimes happens to me as I complete projects for my family or for church. It seems they do not appreciate the amount of time and effort that goes into making the current project run smoothly. Even though it may look effortless, the secret is much planning and preparation. My complaint here is petty, but our missionaries do much more behind the scenes work than we realize.
Missionaries with YWAM
Josh and Stacy Stateham
When missionaries are on furlough, they travel to churches to report on their successes and to solicit money to return to the mission field where they continue and expand current projects for spreading the gospel. We understand what they do is hard. But it looks so interesting and adventurous. Isn’t that a perk of their profession? Aren’t they called by God and receive comfort from knowing that?
Yes, but it is not enough because we all are called by God to be a part of the evangelism team that spreads the gospel to all parts of the world. God never intended for missionaries to work in a vacuum without the support of the local church.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20a
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
How can you and I be a part of a missionary team? First, we can send financial support to one or more missionaries. Second, we can regularly pray for specific missionaries. Third, we can encourage missionaries with notes or cards.
Resolved Day 18: I will select a missionary to encourage today.