motivation for missions

[GreatistheLord]

Hi,

Im considering a missions trip, maybe even long term, but i can see that i am motivated just as much for myself as for the people i would serve, to find my purpose, my own happiness, my own identity etc. Is this something that i should seriously reconsider, or is it the other side of the coin to serve somewhere else? i mean i could just travel, and that would be simply just about me, but without the religious attachment to it, but i would prefer to find somewhere and serve. i guess it is about finding myself, in reality.

????

 

[GreatistheLord]

i am the only person with these thoughts? any advice would be useful.

 

[Gracelands]

Oh no. I've got lots of thoughts on overseas mission work. Guess its a coincidence I was only talking about this yesterday.

I want to do some kind of mission work. Not because because i need an identity or purpose. I have an identity as part of the bride of christ and a princess of the most high..which is nice. I'm already in mission work of sorts and God seems to be refining me daily to be the grail that He wants me to be.

Ive had dreams for about 19 years to return to India and work in a mission out in the sticks. I love the place, love the people, love christ and want to share Him with people.

i don't know if you have selfish motives or not. Do you feel convicted by the Holy Spirit? Where do you feel led to go?

Only advice would be to walk in the Spirit as much as possible and more. You cant take a wrong turn that way.

 

[GreatistheLord]

thanks, but im sure some people have failed lives back home and also want to help in missions. maybe thats extreme, but is it always a bad thing? i guess as long as the positives to go outweigh the negatives to want to leave its ok?

 

[Gracelands]

I think if you feel like youre a failure you need to sort that out first. You need to be strong in Christ to do that kind of work. Try reaffirming who you are in Christ and maybe see if your church runs some self esteem classes. There are no failures in Gods body.

 

[GreatistheLord]

no, what i mean is that people may be divorced, lost jobs or homes, so they have other reasons to leave. i am not talking about self-esteem issues.

 

[vk2goh]

Hi,

Im considering a missions trip, maybe even long term, but i can see that i am motivated just as much for myself as for the people i would serve, to find my purpose, my own happiness, my own identity etc. Is this something that i should seriously reconsider, or is it the other side of the coin to serve somewhere else? i mean i could just travel, and that would be simply just about me, but without the religious attachment to it, but i would prefer to find somewhere and serve. i guess it is about finding myself, in reality.

????

I'd consider praying about it and talking about it with someone from your church who you trust, because to commit to be an overseas missionary is a big thing. You could be in a country where Christianity is outlawed and face persecution, possibly even violence each day. The other issue is raising support both in prayer and financially

 

[GreatistheLord]

good idea, but in general terms, is there always a case of self-interest in missionary work to some degree?

 

[parsley]

In general terms, is there always a case of self-interest in missionary work to some degree?

I think some people just need a concrete commitment and statement that they've gone somewhere for that reason. Identification. Like Jesus needing to preach outside His home town, where people didn't see him as the kid next door.

Without the formal commitment to missions, people will live a normal life in the new country and revert to a more selfish lifestyle. To do well in missions, you have to set aside a lot of opinions and premises, and be willing to give up your time and privacy.

I would advise you, though -- it is so easy to fall into a "We're better" attitude, where you hope to change people's way of life. People like where they live, their cultures, their ways of doing things. They will treat you with an equal "We're better" attitude. They might not see any need for change in beliefs.

Jesus suggested shaking the dust off and moving to another town, but most missionaries make a long commitment to one town.

There are many places where Samaritan's Purse and other organizations have come in with financial assistance and food. People appreciate the support, but might begin to depend on it. Make sure you keep "silver and gold have I none" in mind, while you're also giving the shirt off your back. Scammers can be very pleasant and believable. And normal people can treat you like you're their cash machine.

I would suggest doing some local service in soup kitchens first... teaching Sunday school, doing whatever you can to watch how people respond to help and evangelism. It's a rough world out there.

 

[JamesJCYN]

I was always told that if you want to be part of God's work, then go where you see God is doing the work. A church, a mission field, maybe even your own neighborhood. God will take your heart from there.

 

[gideon123]

i have taken many people on missions trips.

I always looked for people who had a genuine calling in their heart to go on the trip. they truly felt they were being led by God to go. almost without exception, every one of those people felt strongly called to go.

i don't think it's got anything to do with hearing voices. there isn't some GIANT HAND that comes down from the sky and holds a message for you that says ... "HEY YOU - yes I am really telling you to go". it is an inner calling. but it is real and it is personal.

the people on my trips came from a variety of backgrounds. some had happy lives. some did not. what's happening in your personal life is not so important. you do not have to wait until things are "rosy" in order to go and serve God. you just have to go for the right reasons. that means putting God ahead of your own interests - way ahead.

spend some real time in prayer. clear your mind and your heart of all the clutter attached to daily life. set it aside. most of it is far less relevant than we think anyway. then look for God's calling. then start to take action.

blessings,
Gideon

 

[trentlogain2]

Hi,

Im considering a missions trip, maybe even long term, but i can see that i am motivated just as much for myself as for the people i would serve, to find my purpose, my own happiness, my own identity etc. Is this something that i should seriously reconsider, or is it the other side of the coin to serve somewhere else? i mean i could just travel, and that would be simply just about me, but without the religious attachment to it, but i would prefer to find somewhere and serve. i guess it is about finding myself, in reality.

????

you know, you talked about yourself a lot there and possibly others, but never once did you mention anything about the Lord. you're not ready.
missions isn't about you. it isn't even about the people who are being served. it's all about Jesus.

 

[GreatistheLord]

you know, you talked about yourself a lot there and possibly others, but never once did you mention anything about the Lord. you're not ready.
missions isn't about you. it isn't even about the people who are being served. it's all about Jesus.

People arent perfect, even you, even your pastor, even the heroes of our faith. All flawed, please get real.

 

[Tobias]

I grew up overseas as a missionary kid. When I came back to the States at age 15, my first priority was to get out of here and go be a missionary somewhere (anywhere) else!

I think my reasons for wanting to go would be a good example of what classifies as wrong.

I did try going down into Mexico on a few trips here and there, and even spent a month down there building a church. But when it came to having a heart for the people, I knew I wasn't called. Instead God showed me that my calling was/is to America. He even showed me a mini-vision of the two flags we often see on stage in church, the Christian flag and the flag of the USA. He told me that He was sending me from the Christian sub-culture, to the non-Christian peoples of America. So I've stayed put, and over the years have learned to love what it is that I do for Him.


I would say that when our desires line up with God's desires, that makes us all the better vessels for His service. On the mission field, I remember hearing dozens of testimonies from people who felt God had dragged them out there kicking and screaming. Of course I was a kid at the time, so the exact details are a little bit fuzzy. I think most of them probably also mentioned that God had changed their hearts before they went. But I imagine that most of the testimonies concerning a calling to missions involves resistance from the one receiving it. Which could be why people have come to look for that in ALL missionary candidates?

That seems kind of stupid to me.

I find that what God has called me to do is both satisfying to me and helpful to others. I enjoy doing the work of God. Helping others has a way of changing me, and deepening my personal relationship with God. Why wouldn't I like to do it?

At times I have felt selfish for following God. I've listened to the voice of the enemy as he tells me that I'm doing it all for me.

But that's just the devil talking, so who cares?

 

[filologisme]

I find that what God has called me to do is both satisfying to me and helpful to others. I enjoy doing the work of God. Helping others has a way of changing me, and deepening my personal relationship with God. Why wouldn't I like to do it?

At times I have felt selfish for following God. I've listened to the voice of the enemy as he tells me that I'm doing it all for me.

But that's just the devil talking, so who cares?

So true..

 

[IATWdave]

The term "missionary" means you are "sent", either by your church or God (the latter being preferred). If you decide all on your own to go somewhere then you are a tourist (not that there is anything wrong with that) or a humanitarian aid worker, if you are there to help others in some way. A missionary always has the goal of reaching others with the gospel, so if that isn't your goal then you are not a missionary, and your trip is not a mission trip.
That being said, you do not have to be perfect to go on a missions trip, if you think about it Judas was sent out by Jesus when he sent out the 12. If you have the desire to be used by God, then God will use you wherever you end up.