Do we need to go overseas to a third world country to be a missionary? Is it really possible to mission to those around us every day???
I have great respect for those who answer Gods calling and head overseas to be missionaries. Most times they have very little money, many children and no close family around them. They do an amazing job for the Lord.
But not all of us are called to go overseas like this, but we are called to be missionaries where we are living, to those around us everyday.
I don’t always believe this means to preach the word of God all the time to people. Sometimes we may only be preparing the soil that God is going to get someone else to sow. We need to be ready and willing and able to do what God asks of us wherever we are.
Maybe God just wants us to have a happy outgoing nature, maybe people will be drawn by the joy we have from being a redeemed child of God. Maybe they will notice our lack of worry over things that would normally destroy those who don’t know the Lord.
These attitudes can often be shown to people without opening the Bible in front of them. Now if you are called to open the Bible then I suggest you do so and that you ask the Holy Spirit to have sent someone before you to prepare the ground.
I find the best way to be missionaries to the people around us is to just be who we are, to be real and share our life and journey with them. Show people how we deal with difficult issues and situations in our lives – this is a great witness.
I remember we used to go to a particular restaurant in our local town. It was a great place to take the family and we used to go there on a Sunday after worship with other families from church. The owner asked me one day why I was always happy. I must admit I did ask him if he really wanted to know and when he said yes I stated that it was because God loved me and had sent his son to save me. Now he didn’t take the conversation anywhere else and just took our lunch order, but maybe he went home and thought about this, maybe God had someone else to come after me to speak into his heart about Him, I don’t know. I just know that if you feel the need to spread the word of God, you just do it.
Equip your children to be mini missionaries within the realms of your family. Teach them to show people love and respect, teach them to care for the needy.
Maybe God is calling you to make meals for the sick and needy or help someone around their house because they are incapacitated. What a blessing for us to be able to do this and what an opportunity to show Gods love to these people. To show them that we care by being happy and cheerful givers. Also we don’t know what doors this will open and when God will give us an opportunity to speak His word into their lives.
God may also be calling you to financially support the overseas missionaries or just be there for their families at home. Maybe you can let your children be grandchildren to a couple who’s family is ministering overseas.
So wherever you are in your life, class yourself as a missionary and spread the word of God however He calls you to, whether it be to go overseas or remain where you are.
Hebrews 13: 20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working is us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
How do you and your family mission where you are?
This post is linked up here…
Amen! We don’t have to trek down the Amazon and wrestle crocodiles in order to be a missionary. God called us to be missionaries right out of the gate once we got saved, He gave us the Great Commission and didn’t say “you do this as soon as you get to the next country.” Your mission field can be your own home–literally–or your neighborhood, your town, part of your blog, you name it. 🙂
Exactly, I suppose also our own home (our children) is our greatest mission field. Thanks for your comment, I am enjoying chatting with you and I like keeping up with you on your blog. Your weight loss journey is really inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
My husband and I have been missionaries for many years, but sending monthly support to several missionaries and ministries. If you can’t go, then help send someone who can go. Yes I do believe we have a mission field around us too, and certainly our children are our first field to plant seeds and watch them mature in Jesus.
Thanks again Hazel for your comment and sharing. Blessings
What great ideas for serving people locally! I have so much respect for missionaries who leave their homes and travel far away to share Jesus, but that is not what I’m called to do right now. I completely agree with you that there are so many ways to serve wherever you are. And I love helping my children become “mini missionaries” right where they are :).
Thanks Candace for your lovely comment, may God bless you as you care for your family. Blessings
I have always felt as if the mission field that I am called to, other than being placed right here in front of me, was the hearts of my children and my husband. Such an important mission in life to live pouring Truth into them.
Blessings!
Dawn
Dawn you are so right, thank you for your comment. Blessings
Great thoughts! This subject is the focus of my blog – http://www.FrontPorchInspired.com. My husband and I, although not our first plan (I admit!), are missionaries here in the USA. Hope you can stop by sometime at our blog! God bless.
Thanks Anne for your comment and I’ll pop over and have a look. Blessings
I have to admit, my world was changed by missionaries who went abroad.
My husband’s father was born and raised in Cuba. He got saved and with help of Baptist missionaries on the island, he came to America to go to Bible college here in Kansas. While here, he met Mama, and married, and her family sponsored him to get naturalized. He became a citizen, had a family, and this happened right as Castro was taking over the island and turning it to communism. He and Mama did missions from home/church, supporting financially as well as sending bibles and tracts and everything they could to help others know about Jesus. I married the youngest of the kids. But, without those Baptist missionaries, I wouldn’t have my family. 🙂 Papa also sponsored other family members to come from Cuba, and many have been successful in business, some became pastors, Gideons, most spread the gospel somehow. But it all started with missionaries who went to a little island in the Caribbean in the 1940’s/50’s.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story, there is a great history there and I am sure God has honoured all their hard work. Seems to me all things start with some one doing what God wants them to do and then goes from there. Blessings to you and yours.
My major in college was international missions, but for the past 10 years my husband and I have been in sunny Florida, ministering here. We have adopted from the country of Uganda and been on several short term missions trips, but our job as believers is to love those God puts in our path. And we are doing just that! (visiting from The Modest Mom)
Thanks Karissa for your comment, may God bless you are you continue to love in His name. Blessings
I think it is so important to teach our children to be missionaries in their own home. Then God can direct that where He knows it needs to be led.
Exactly right Jenny, thank you for your comment. Blessings