During a recent mission trip to distribute eyeglasses to the poor in Chihuahua, Mexico, I reflected upon the many people who had expressed that they wanted to some ay go on a mission trip, but that, for various reasons, they can not do so.
Some stated that finances were a problem, others stated that they could not take the time from work, and still others expressed fear that they may not be able to do the work. There are a multitude of mission endeavors, some which require physical strength, such as construction tams; some require technical skills, such as suicide prevention or ‘Doctors without Borders’. But, most mission endeavors simply require volunteers to travel to other countries (or even within our own country), to help those who are less fortunate then we.
Most important is that we go and show the love of Christ through our gifts, but, more so, through our countenance. We show unconditional love to people who don’t often experience such love. Many people in other lands view Americans as arrogant and aloof and uncaring. When we go and meet and warmly greet the people, they see that we care about them, and many develop a new attitude toward us. But, what does ‘going’ entail? Can we be a part of ‘going‘ to the mission field without actually traveling?
In America, we often take for granted the rich blessings God has bestowed upon us. We are blessed with many things that others have absolutely no means by which to obtain. Eyeglasses are one example. In America, we can buy reading glasses for as little as a dollar in convenience and grocery stores. Many of us have insurance to cover at least part of the cost of eye wear. In Sri Lanka, thousands of people lost their eyeglasses in the tsunami, with absolutely no means of replacing them People were overwhelmed with gratitude by such a small gift from out team.
Everyone cannot be a physical part of a mission tam, but, exactly what does out Lord mean, when He gave us The Great Commission, in Matthew, “…Go Ye, therefore, into all of the world, baptizing them and teach them to obey all that I have taught you…”? Could one consider to have ‘gone’ when they financially assist mission team? Is making hand puppets or other Vacation Bible School tools that the missionaries use to share the Gospel message a part of ’going’? What about the ’prayer partners’, who constantly pray for the preparations for the trip and for the hearts and souls of the people the missionaries will serve? Could that be construed as ‘going’?
In Hebrews, 13, we are told, “…May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him…”. Helping a mission team is putting God’s ‘equipment’ to good use.
Every believer who helps send missionaries to God’s mission field are part of the ‘going’. The Holy Spirit calls those who He intends to physically ‘go’ and do the work of missions, sharing God’s love and His good gifts with others who may not know Him personally. But, I also believe He gives others, who cannot go for any reason, the resources to assist others in going, through gifts, prayer support, assisting in fund-raising events, and in countless ways that equip the saints who do the actual ‘going’.
So, we must look for opportunities to help others ‘go’. By doing so, we are participating in the ‘going’.