Last evening I attended my first commissioning event. A young couple has been called to the missions field and this was their send-off. It was an evening of preaching, prayers, and tears. While everyone who knows them and loves them is excited and proud for answering the call, we’re also sad to see them go. We trust in God to take care of them but our hearts want to keep them physically near to us.
While I’ve never been a missionary in the sense of going somewhere away from home to spread the gospel, I’ve spoken to and interviewed many who are/were. Their hearts are not the hearts of the average Christian. Let me rephrase that–their hearts are special and unique in a way that the rest of us can’t imagine. They are our army, our heroes. They give sacrificially of themselves to the people they serve. To pick up and move to another continent is like moving to another world. Many don’t know the language of the people they’ll be serving until they’ve been in country for a period of time. They don’t know the culture. They don’t know what lies ahead for them in this new world.
Can you imagine?
- leaving everyone you love to go to an area where you could be arrested for your faith?
- the fear the loved ones who remain here are experiencing?
- selling all of your belongings, leaving everything you know and love?
The thing is, where they find their joy, peace, hope, and comfort is traveling with them and remains with them every moment of every day and that is the Holy Spirit. God Himself dwells in them, in each of us. If we lean into that understanding, that comfort, then we’re able to accomplish great things in His Holy Name.
I’m in awe of this couple. I’m in awe of all of the missionaries of the world. Please join me this week in praying for them as well as continuing to pray for the people of Ukraine. God is mighty. He is good. God loves His children in a way that we cannot begin to comprehend. Abide in His love and let it shine through you into the world.
Bible Verse of the Day
…the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
2 Timothy 1:8b-9 ESV
Prayer
Dearest Father, we come before You in praise and in awe of Your love for us. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge that You have a plan and a calling for each of Your children and that You equip us and guide us to do Your will in Your perfect timing according to Your perfect plan. Father, we pray that You take care of this young family and wrap a hedge of protection around them. Please comfort them and calm their fears, anxiety. Comfort their family and friends who will miss them. Father, may this young family bear much fruit in an area of the world that does not know You. May they build relationships and connect with people who will encourage and inspire them. May the Holy Spirit speak clearly to them.
Lord, please help them as they travel. May it be a smooth flight without incident. Keep them healthy. Help them learn the language and culture quickly, Lord. Bring people to them as strangers who will quickly become brothers and sisters in Christ.
Father, we continue to pray for Ukraine. Please, Lord, work a miracle in this situation. Bring peace to a nation that has been tormented by the enemy. We’ve seen You do this throughout history, Lord, and ask that You allow Ukraine to prevail. Father, we humbly ask all of these things in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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