5 Principles of Missionary Living

I have had it on my heart to share some principles involved in “being a missionary” and specifically as it applies to work overseas and in third world countries.  I want to share these views and principles that have served me (and others) well through the years. 

From time to time people contact me wondering what it means to be a missionary or interested in aspects of missionary life.  So, over the next few weeks I will share five principles that apply to missionary life.  And while I am applying these principles specifically to missions, they apply in many ways in a wider context to other areas also.

Calling

First and foremost, being a missionary is a calling.  It is not a job, it is not an employment alternative, it is not one more option or possibility to consider.  It is a calling.  A calling is defined as a clear conviction that this is what God wants you to do.  With that clear conviction there is the ability to act in confidence, with authority, and with assurance, focused on the reality that things will work out.  They may not work out exactly in the way we think or in the way that we want, but they will work out in the way that God thinks is best and that is ultimately best for us.  And a calling keeps us on track when our emotions, our circumstances, or our finances want to derail us.  This is typical in the life of the disciples, when Christ turns to them and says, “Hey, are you going to leave me also?” And Peter replies, “Well, where would we go?  What would we do?  We are gonna stick it out no matter what!!”  (Bud Simon revised version). 

That is conviction.  Peter was committed to Christ, yes, but he was also committed to a calling, being a disciple, being a leader, being a church planter and builder.  He was committed until the end. 

One significant key in the area of calling is to pursue the calling passionately.  That is, we should not be easily put off nor distracted.  But, we need to think in terms of the overall big picture that God has placed before us and the calling that He is putting on our hearts. 

This is the first principle that will help see a person through many trials, troubles and difficulties.

Comments

[Tracey]

Thanks for this post, Bud. I know you're talking long term missions but I believe it absolutely applies to being part of an effective and safe short term mission, too. I certainly wouldn't be coming down there unless I knew without any doubt that God wants me there this year. He's been so faithful to continue confirming that to me, the closer it gets the more certain I am!! What a perfectly amazing God we serve!!!! 11 days!!! LOVE the photo, too.

[Bud Simon]

Thanks for the comment - yes, the post is more towards long term missions, but in reality has a wider application to every area of our lives.

If God isn't calling us to missions, what is he calling us to do? Definitely lead a missional life where ever we may be.

We look forward to seeing you down here.