"Having so fond an affection for you,

we were well pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God

but also our own lives,

because you had become very dear to us."

- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 

 

Ever since I boarded the plane to come here, this question has been rolling around in my mind, "What does it really mean to be a missionary?" It really has stuck with me and has given me a clearer picture on what it means to be a missionary.

 

First, it highlights every Christian's mission from God, to tell people the good news, and secondly, as I see what it takes to be a missionary, I think it highlights the mindset that every Christian needs to have. And what is that? Sharing your life with others, seeing others as worthy to invest our time.

 

Ill never forget, the second time that I went to Russia. Valodya, the worship leader at the Church in Orenburg came up to me one night and said, "Thank you for your service, I can see that this is not a vacation for you because you came back again."

 

I was taken aback by his words, they meant a lot to me, but also contained great truth. People are willing to share the Gospel, but are we also willing to share our lives as well? That can be the toughest part sometimes. That's when it gets dirty, frustrations come.... Don't give up! By sharing the Gospel, along with your life, your time, your resources, you never know the impact that you are making. We may think that the situation is impossible, but you may well be the only picture of Jesus some people have in their lives and what they see in you will reflect on how they think of Jesus.

 

I don't think location has anything to do with being a missionary, but loving God and loving people, sharing the Gospel as well as sharing your life, is the mark of a missionary.