Responding to missions (1)

We just returned from our latest mission trip to Cambodia. Several first-timers in the team shared heartwarming testimonies of their experiences and viewpoint of the work there. No doubt as Wilson, Joel, Kevin, Michelle and a few others find more opportunity in the next few days or weeks to talk a lot more about how the Lord had blessed them so wonderfully in Cambodia and as they challenge more folk to be involved in missions, their enthusiasm and zeal will rub off and infect many Christians.

Some hearers will surely respond. However, what would happen if they abruptly get so fired up that they immediately book the next cheap budget airfare to Cambodia, and show up without prior warning on Pastor Noe’s (our Cambodia missionary’s) doorstep to announce, Here am I, I am here to do missions!

Huh???

Of course we want Christians to be excited about and to be involved in missions, especially in the mission fields of Asia. The work here needs much support, and prayers. The laborers are few! However, sometimes people do respond in ways that become detrimental to the mission field, responding on the spur of the moment, in the flesh instead of being led by the Spirit. Instead of being of help to the missionaries or the mission field, they may, inadvertently and unknowingly, cause problems or hindrances which have far reaching repercussions these well-meaning Christians were not likely to be aware of.

A few months ago, when I received an invitation to attend the wedding of one of our missionaries in the Philippines, I prayed and thought it over whether I should make a trip and, at the same time, meet a few more missionaries and get some work done. I could have gone ahead to book my airticket and then fly there on my own, but I decided to ask my bosses for their advice.

We tried to work out a schedule and at first it seemed viable. I was ready to book my airticket. However, as we continued to pray about it and another day passed, it somehow became clearer that it wasn’t wise for me to go. Pastor Mike’s advice was – Deb, I think this is not the right time.

He told me it would be better for him to speak to the missionaries instead of me going there to talk to them.

I could still have gone ahead – I could make a private trip. After all, I was invited to a wedding. However, praying about it, the Lord also spoke to me that it wasn’t the right timing. If I had disregarded Pastor Mike’s advice and gone ahead anyway, it would not be His will and my going there might cause some problem or friction among the missionaries, and set in motion things which I could not have foreseen.

Did you rush headlong into the next mission trip because you got terribly excited and fired up after listening to the stories from Wilson, Joel, Kevin and a few others? Or did you hear the small, still voice of God in your heart convincing you to go? Before packing your bags or booking that flight, did you have a word with the pastors who are in charge of that mission field, that it was the right timing for you to go?

Next post:
Responding to missions Part 2