A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: "You are not your own." (I Corinthians 6:19).
My devotional My Utmost of His Highest by Oswald Chambers recently started the day's devotion with that sentence. It of course caught my attention because I consider myself a missionary and it sent my thoughts a spinning. I definitely don't think I have this Christian life figured out! I struggle with sin and even though I am writing this as a missionary serving in Indonesia I still struggle to submit my life to the Lord. It is a daily (sometimes minute-by-minute) battle.
Those of you have lived internationally, especially in the developing world, know how frustrating it can be. You had your day planned. You had things you were going to get done on your to do list. Maybe it was going to be a day of rest. Then the phone rings or there is a knock on the door and you can see your nicely planned day flying out the window.
A couple of Saturdays ago I was all set for my second MAWG (morning alone with God), since I arrived in Indonesia. I need these mornings to rest and spend some focused time with the Lord. I usually listen to a sermon in English, listen to some good music, and write in my journal. That morning, just as I was waking up, the phone started buzzing. There was a text with questions about medications that were safe for a mom to take for nausea/vomiting when she was breastfeeding. As the details rolled in it became evident that she really needed a home visit so she could be assessed. She had three small kids at home, so a night in the hospital for IV rehydration really wasn't a great option. So instead of taking my MAWG, I spent the morning caring for her. Other times it has been a trip to town for some shopping and coming home with less than 50% of what I needed because no one had it in stock. Or don't get me started on trips to offices for visa work etc :)
The question becomes what will your response be when these situations arise. It doesn't matter if you are living in America or Indonesia, we all have a choice on how we will respond when our plans and schedules are upset. Sometimes I think Christians are so busy serving that we miss the opportunity to be used by God. I know I have missed opportunities or my response has been selfish when these situations have come up before.
Now back to the that devotional... Oswald Chambers goes on to say, "the missionary's secret is truly being able to say, I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me." I think I would replace the word missionary there with disciple, because really this should apply to all of us. No matter where you are serving today, remember that you are not your own and be entirely His!
