Well my friends that is a very good question... one I am afraid that doesn´t have a very simple (or even necessarily logical answer), but I will attempt to share my story of what led me to be a missionary...
In 2001 I was finishing my degree at university, but I knew that I didn't want to get stuck into this routine of working, and then look back in 20 or 30 years and wonder what had I done with my life... SO, a friend told me about YWAM and their 5 month introduction to missions course that's theme was "TO KNOW GOD AND MAKE HIM KNOW." ...I have to be really honest and say that (in the beginning) I didn't really have a huge heart for missions, but I did want to go to deeper levels in my relationship with God - to have some kind of interaction with the Creator that made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself... to live a life of purpose.
While on outreach in Malaysia God started to share His heart for the Nations to me... There aren't really words to describe my experiences there, but just something about going to a nation, in which millions of beautiful & uniquely created people are following some far off religions/gods that they fear, lots of happiness, but very little hope or security, & no concept of the value of each individual life... the heaviness you can feel there, amidst the dirty, smelly streets crowded with people... just...
makes you want to do more.
For a time I wrestled... with what I had seen, felt and experienced and also my thoughts and expectations of what life should look like. I knew I had a decision to make - life on my terms, or the unknown with God. In the end, guess who won??
Looking back on that time in 2002, I realize it was THE major turning point in my life. I also know wihout a shadow of a doubt that it has been he right decision. And, as I read the many stories of others like me (both historical and contemporary), I realize that our life is counting for something. Our life, as we lay it down for a God we love to serve, is being multiplied into lives of countless others. And you know what the crazy part is... Jesus' life made it very clear that, as followers of Him, our lives are supposed to be sacrificed for something larger - not just an elect few, but EVERY CHRISTIAN is called to take up their cross & follow Him. That is a challenging reality. That is why I am still here.
I leave you with these words of wisdom from Matthew 5... I wonder how God would want you to respond?
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (verses 13 - 16 - The Message)
below is a video about Youth With a Mission (YWAM) if you would like to know more - there are TONS of great missions organizations out there & you can find lots on the web - you will have to seek God as to which one is right for you...
WHAT DO YOU DO IN MISSIONS??
Since moving my life to Australia back in 2002, my passion & conviction to make life count has taken many unexpected twists & turns... "Missions" looks different than I thought it did in the beginning. God has really taken time to dispell grandious myths of what "serving" Him looks like...
In my years in missions, I wore many hats... I have cleaned dishes, cleaned up LOTS of trash (most of it other peoples), cried ALOT over giving up my family & a 'normal' life, not known where $ I needed would come from for months on end... I've felt lonely & isolated (being half a world away from loved ones), seen many breakthroughs, worshipped with my whole heart, lost sleep over the spiritual condition of cities, been overwhelmed with excitement and joy of people coming into a relationship with the one True God, watched and gained insight about things like servant leadership and how to honour other cultures. I've also been intimidated by the size of the task & my lack of ability more times than I can count... all of these things have shaped my experience of what missions is all about... it has been an AMAZING JOURNEY!
