Missions?

I've never been on a "missions trip" before.  Have you?  Maybe you'd be a better candidate for writing today's post but since I'm about to embark on my first trip I'd like to share my initial thoughts.  

Several years ago, after years of serving in the church, I felt a tug in my spirit to serve on a "mission trip" - thinking of a trip that required a passport.

When I got a call from my mom in Florida, downed with health related issues, I figured my "mission" was to travel to Florida instead, to serve her in her need.  I put away thoughts of traveling to faraway, exotic places -- although many would consider Florida faraway and exotic!  

How funny that some of us who as kids listened to missionaries tell their stories might have come away with a distorted view of what "missions" is, not realizing true "missions" starts at home.

In the two years since my Florida trip, the map of my definition of "missions" has been enlarged to include home.

See, the beautiful mix of speaking and living the Gospel Truth, proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Son of God, sent by God to reconcile the world to Himself starts at home, where we train at expressing God's love by giving to others with practical service, many times sacrificing so that true love might be felt as well as known.

It's funny (well, not really) that home can sometimes be the hardest place to speak the gospel plus model love and sacrifice.  Many struggle to live Monday through Saturday the same way they do on Sundays.  At home our flaws and the flaws of those we serve are exposed every day, often hitting on our last exposed nerve!  As we try to sacrificially serve at home, we see our own frail humanity and realize our own desperate need for God's help.  Could this have been God's plan all along?

Perhaps we're all on one BIG "missions trip" called life!  


Still, as I plan to fly away to Romania on Wednesday, along with 5 other sweet souls from Warrenton Bible Fellowship, I'd love your prayers.  Make them prayers for open eyes, ears and hearts -- my own, my traveling companions and those we long to serve.

In this crazy world of unsettled times, I'd also like to ask for your prayers for safety and wisdom, to steer clear of danger, to be led by the Holy Spirit, to be protected by God's angels.

And last, but in no way least, pray that we have the words and actions that will show Christ to those we come in contact with -- before leaving home, at the airport, upon arrival and everywhere we go on our short trip.

I pray you too will be prepared to serve those surrounding you over the next couple of weeks, learning to lean into the strength of God, speaking boldly and loving large, wherever you are!

Have a wonder-filled "mission" this week and I look forward to catching up with you after August 6th!