Living faithful, fruitful and fulfilled on the mission field
He came to the fundraising training discouraged. There had been numerous attempts to raise funds. All had failed. Hope was not high, but he still came. Would this missionary support raising training work for him? His spoken English was fine, but writing in English was …
Do you ever find yourself in a situation where everyone you know is a Christian? There have been times in my missionary life when ministry demands and family needs were intense. I found myself in situations where I had almost no contact with unsaved people. …
Big dreams have big price tags! Or so they say. The loud voice in our heads tells us that if we want to do big things, we need to have a lot of money. Without money, we feel powerless. With money in our pocket (or bank account) we feel stronger. This is not the way God works…it’s not the way of the Kingdom. Yet this belief, that to do anything significant, we need a lot of money, often influences our thinking. It affects our actions.
We are strongly influenced by the world’s thinking about wealth. It is natural for us to believe that to do big things, we need big money. That is the way of the world, not the Kingdom of God. God delights in using the weak things (even those who are weak financially) to accomplish His incredible Kingdom purposes.
So often, we believe we need more money… when what we really need is already in our hands. When we offer to God what we possess, our loaves and fish, He multiplies it. In His hands, it is more than enough! Many times, the way God wants to work doesn’t require lots of money. It requires faith, obedience, and creativity.
Years ago, God spoke to me about something He wanted to do in Northeast India. God was wanting to release thousands of young people into missions among the unreached.
The Lord made His plan clear. We were to organize a large missions conference. God wanted us to invite thousands of youth from the Christian parts of Northeast India. It was in the Father’s heart to release many new workers into His harvest fields.
This was an exciting vision. I knew it was from the Lord. I also knew it could have a very big price tag.
As I made the tentative budget, it came to more than $40,000 US. I had absolutely zero in my hands at the time. I had never before raised that kind of money. The budget terrified me. How in the world would we be able to come up with that? Maybe it was too much for us.
It required a great deal of faith for me to even start down that path. I knew how weak I was financially and how many miracles God would have to do for this to be possible.
By God’s grace, together with my team, we chose to listen to the Word of the Lord to us. We looked to Him, not to ourselves and our own financial capacity. As we organized and worked toward this goal, God did indeed work miracles. He helped us find amazing deals where the things we purchased were a lot cheaper than normal! The Lord provided in so many unusual ways. During the conference itself, many Northeast Indian individuals and churches gave generously.
At the end of the conference, all our bills were paid and we had money left over! It was indeed a miracle. God had done something incredible through us, even though we had very little money.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Eph 3:20 NLT
While we must be realistic about money, we can not let it control us. God needs to be in charge, not our bank balance. Are we listening to Him or looking to ourselves and our own strength?
So often, God wants to teach us to think creatively. Many times, the solution is there… it’s just different than what we thought. For example, we may think that to reach an area, we need to hold a big, expensive evangelistic tent meeting. We dream of bringing in a big-name speaker to our area. Could God have a different way of accomplishing the same goal? Maybe He wants to work through local people, empowering them to reach their neighbors in simple ways that cost absolutely nothing!
If we are willing to work differently, to listen to God and seek His ways…His provision will always be there for us.
In what ways are you stuck in your thinking about money? Could there be a different way to accomplish the vision God’s given you? One that doesn’t require money?
I have lived and taught this principle again and again. If God has told you to do something, and you’ve had confirmation from your leaders, team, and others…that is what you must base your decisions on. Don’t look first to your bank account, look first to God. What has He clearly said you are to do?
That doesn’t mean we act foolishly or get ourselves into debt. We do take steps of faith and obedience to move ahead with what God has spoken to us.
We must actively resist the world’s mindset which says that wealth makes us powerful and capable. This is not true! God is the one who makes you strong and able to move forward. He is the One who fights for you and enables you. Money can be helpful, but in the Kingdom, it is not always necessary. In fact, sometimes the more money we have, the more headaches and difficulties we encounter!
Let God’s truth penetrate your spirit today. He has given you more than enough to do what He has called you to do. You already have enough, because He is with you. He is enough. God will provide. He will make a way.
Say it out loud with me. “I have more than enough money to do what God wants me to do!” You don’t have to be rich, to be effective in the Kingdom of God. In fact, your lack of money may drive you to do things in a more effective way. Your weakness can become a great strength. Amen?
God has great things ahead for you. He longs to do the impossible through you! When the vision is from God, you can be sure that He will bring it to pass…He will provide all that is needed.
On June 12th and 13th, I am offering a free live training called How to Have a Massive Kingdom Impact: Even if You Are Not Rich, Famous or Super-Talented. Check it out and register here. I’d love to share more with you live and in person via this online training (webinar)! Over and over I have seen God do amazing things through people who didn’t have huge access to financial resources. Join me and let’s learn more about this together!
Have you ever been in a place where you have felt like the odd one out – everyone else has someone to relate to but you? All the successful mothers’ are sitting around chatting and having a nice warm cup of tea, and you are …
When Jesus called His disciples, He called them to serve together as a group, not as individuals. He gathered a team of twelve men and sent them out two by two. Though most of them were fishermen, each of them was unique in personality, character, …
I was surprised and blessed yet again. God loves to give us “kisses.” What does it mean to be “kissed” by God? That is what I call it when He blesses me with a small desire fulfilled, with something I don’t even need and certainly don’t deserve. He seems to delight in doing that!
Last week we were visiting friends. We came home with a new blender in our car. I’d so enjoyed the delicious smoothies we’d had at their home. As we got ready to leave, my friend handed me a blender. It was an appliance I didn’t have. I’d looked at them and thought them too costly to purchase. Now, I was unpacking one and putting it in the cupboard. How could I possibly be so blessed yet again!
This same week I’ve faced significant loss and pain. Someone I love deeply attacked. They want to cut off our relationship. I’ve been accused of things I didn’t do. It hurts. That definitely wasn’t a kiss.
Blessing and pain. Joy and sorrow. They weave their way through our lives continually.
Some have said that joy and sorrow are like two rails on a train track. Life is never completely separated from either track. We learn to accept sorrow with joy, and joy with sorrow. To do this well we must learn to live a life of constant gratefulness. We can not let the hardships blind us to the joys.
Missionary life comes with grief and hardship. It also comes with incredible joy and blessing. We sometimes ask, which will I focus on?
Perhaps that is not the right question. A better question is; what can I be thankful for?
Practicing gratefulness is a key habit for a life of fruitfulness in missions.
Americans celebrated Thanksgiving a day or two ago. Families gathered and ate together. There was laughter and at times there were tears. Some families mourned the loss of a loved one. There was someone no longer with them this year. It hurt. In the midst of the celebration, their hearts grieved.
For those on the mission field, holidays can be hard. We miss family back home. At times we feel left out or forgotten. You pick up the phone and hear the happy voices, the kids playing in the background, and your heart breaks. You wish you could be there too.
You may not be an American who celebrated this particular holiday. The feeling I’m describing, however, is something we all face at times.
Choose to thank God for His many blessings. Here are a few of mine.
I’m grateful for His love and redemption.
I’m grateful for the hope He gives.
I’m so thankful that I serve a God of the impossible, a God who restores and heals.
I’m thanking Him today for my co-workers, even with their many issues and own unique quirks.
I’m thankful for great leadership in my organization, for the blessing of the covering and direction they provide.
I’m grateful for our amazing prayer and financial partners, those who have sent us out to do what we do.
I’m so thankful God chose me and appointed me to bear fruit in His harvest fields.
I’m thankful for good health, for strength and for the ability to live another day for His purposes.
I am grateful for a rich Christian heritage, for parents who love God and set an example for me.
I’m thankful for our children- both our physical and spiritual kids.
The list could go on and on.
A friend posted on Facebook the other day a kids activity. It was to take the alphabet and think of one thing you are thankful for related to each letter. Not a bad idea.
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18 KJV
What are you thankful for today?
In the midst of pain, frustration or hurt, reach out to God in thanksgiving. As you give thanks, your heart will fill with wonder and joy. People will see the difference in your attitudes and actions and be drawn to our Savior.
So once again, let me ask. What are you most grateful for today? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
“10 million Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus. A Cambodian province closes schools after a leader of Hungary visited the country and tested positive. France and Italy report record cases as the virus ravages Europe.” We read these discouraging headlines and wonder if this …
Do you love to travel and new adventures? Eating new food and seeing new places? Do you find people who are from different cultures fascinating? If you answered yes to any of these things, missions might sound like a dream job to you! Your heart …
Quitting is not altogether bad. There are some things we need to quit. Often, though, we need to persevere. The temptation to “give up and go home” is common, particularly in the first four years of missionary life. The same is true when working on a new vision. Remain steady, knowing God called you to that place or work. Your vision, passion, and focus can remain fire-hot through difficult seasons.
Last week, I went away to a cabin in the woods. It was cold. I often built a fire in the beautiful fireplace. Building the fire was fun. It was exciting to light the paper and watch it burst into flame. After an hour or two, it needed tending. I needed to add more wood, stir it up a bit, and blow on it. Our calling and vision are not different. Without tending, vision dies down. This is true even when the vision was placed in our heart by God Himself.
I recommend five practices that add fuel to the flame of vision. Whether you are a classic visionary or are following a vision someone else shared, these practices will help. You can stay passionate and focused on the things God has called you to do.
In our work as mission leaders, we often had the privilege (and responsibility) of welcoming new field workers. We’d give them orientation, help them settle into their new homes, and get them set up with language helpers. I confess I didn’t always put much weight on the vision and dreams of new field workers. First I wanted to see if they had what it takes to stay for the long haul. Then, I was far more likely to listen to and support their dreams.
One young family came to the field full of passion. Energetic and excited, they were ready to dive in to saving the lost and feeding the poor. I got excited when they shared their vision. Their enthusiasm was contagious.
“I sure hope these guys stick!” I thought. I’d seen many people come and go. They’d arrive with a vision that would take years to accomplish. Two or three months in, or even a year or so later, suddenly, their vision changed. They now felt called to return to their home country. Would this new family be different? I hoped so!
They’d spend many months raising their funds to get there. Donors had contributed sacrificially. They too had made significant efforts working overtime and selling off things they owned. Now, they had arrived. Time would tell whether they would stay.
I wish I’d known then, what I know now. These five keys to keeping your vision alive are something I would have shared with them. Sadly, six months later, discouraged and disillusioned, they boarded a flight and returned to their home country. Soon others would come and the unfortunate cycle would begin again.
Missionary attrition can be avoided. It does take work. Vision does not need to die. You don’t need to quit and go home.
“Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled.
Ezekiel 12:22-23 NIV.
In my YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) many years ago, a speaker taught us about how to hear God’s voice. I remember something he said.
“When you don’t hear anything from God, go back to the last thing you heard Him say. Simply remind yourself of that. Keep doing that thing until He speaks again.”
It was good advice.
I often re-read journals and things I’ve write down that God spoke to me. These are a rich source of vision nourishment. Re-reading prophetic words given you is also a way to throw fresh wood on the fire of your passion. Bill Johnson, of Bethel Redding, speaks about this. When is the last time you took the time to remember what God spoke to you when you first heard His calling to this ministry?
Conflicts, meetings, daily life tasks, social media and email, all threaten to pull us away from our calling. Keep your vision in front of you. Write it out. Put it on your desk, refridgerator door or bathroom mirror. Some place where you will see it often. Remember that those other things, while sometimes necessary, are not the main thing.
I read a meme recently that said “If it is not going to matter 5 years from now, don’t invest more than 5 minutes worrying about it.” Don’t invest energy and emotion in the things that don’t matter. Give yourself to taking concrete steps and to activities that move you forward in what you are called by God to do.
Does your current task contribute to that vision? A high percentage of your activities should be related to the “main thing” God has called you to. If not, you will start to feel burned out and your original vision will grow cold.
It is okay to say no to other things not related to your unique calling. Without devoting a significant amount of time doing what you feel called to do, vision will wither. Some organizations give more freedom in this area than others.
If you find that you are expected to give the majority of your time to things you don’t feel called to do, make an appointment with your supervisor. Renegotiate your job description. Let them know how you are feeling.
Don’t wait until you have lost your vision entirely. Take action now to give more of your time to what matters most.
We become like those we spend time with. Do you invest time in relationships with others who share your passion and dream? With people of faith, who are already doing more than you are in that area?
When I am around others who share my passion and dreams, it pours kerosene on my vision fire. I start to get new ideas and become creative.
If you surround yourself with nay-sayers and those who with negative mindsets, your vision will grow dim.
This seems obvious but needs saying. Jesus, in the midst of His busy ministry, took time away to be with His Father. It was there that He gained strength, hope, and was renewed. Don’t consider it a vacation. Retreats and sabbaths are crucial to keeping your vision burning and to stay focused on the things God has spoken to you.
What will you do this week to fan the flame of your God-given dream?
Share below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.
Intimacy with God must be the constant pursuit of any disciple of Jesus. This is even more true of those of us who want to see Kingdom impact through our lives and ministries. The following article is a guest contribution by Kima Hmar. A dependent …