Livin’ like a missionary….
Filed in Current Culture, God Stuff on Apr.06, 2010
So let’s first explain what is a missionary:
Main Entry: 1mis·sion·ary
Pronunciation: \ˈmi-shə-ˌner-ē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural mis·sion·ar·ies
Date: 1625
It means to view our Christian lives as:
- Living among foreigners that do not think or view the world as we do.
- That we have a purpose here which means you need to know what that is. How much time have you spent in trying to develop it?
- We are to be a part of the culture, not the world, so we have relevance. What’s the last movie you saw? What are you reading?
- This is not our home so don’t fall in love with it.
- You obey local laws but you have to answer to a higher authority that is separate.
- You do not judge others based on your beliefs because they operate under their own set of values.
- Not judging does not mean not to differentiate between right and wrong and to help them see that.
- We are here to educate, train, and lead which helps us as much as it helps them.
- Your goal is to let them know that they can belong to something bigger than themselves.
It’s called missional living. Michael, the Lead Pastor at Oak Leaf wrote about it on his blog as well if you need more of an explanation.
If you are a Christian you are a missionary so your job is to be among the lost and make a difference. Check out Jesus’ parting words and see what He thinks about it.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19,20
If you are brave enough today why don’t you leave me a comment and tell me who you are being a “missionary” to.
Tags: missional living, missionary
April 6th, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Very true my man. All Christians are missionaries. Some just haven’t realized it yet. Right now, I’m a missionary in the Washington, DC area. Mind if I post this on my blog and point them in your direction?
April 6th, 2010 at 9:57 AM
That would be great Stan thanks for checking it out.
April 9th, 2010 at 8:25 AM
Well, I have to admit that I was one of the Christians that had yet to realize that I am also a missionary. Over the last few days, I have really put some thought into how I am a missionary for God. The first thing that came to my mind is that I am a missionary because I invite people to church. Then, I realized that being a missionary was much more. Over the last few days, God has really shown me what being a true missionary for Him really is. He showed me that while a lot of people think that being a missionary means that they do something for the church, being a missionary does not always have to do with the church. I believe that the way you live your life in front of the lost world or the way that you show the love of God in your heart (here’s the key) WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN is what being a missionary is all about. Being a missionary should not be a good deed that you are getting noticed for or getting a pat on the back for (not that it can’t be, just not always). For example, I realized that I am being a missionary to my class at school. During the moment of silence everyday, I pray in front of them. When I see a child upset because their mom and dad got into a drunken fight, I comfort him/her. That is being a missionary to God. It’s those small things that show the world that we belong to God. Yes, all Christians are missionaries. And yes, inviting someone to church is being a missionary to God. However, I challenge everyone to put more thought into it than that. You might be surprised at all of the ways that you find that you are being a missionary to God. It is a very warming experience!
April 11th, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Sherry thanks for stepping out and living like a missionary in front of others..