Are YOU a Missionary?

When we were growing up, despite our different upbringings and backgrounds, most of us were told stories about missionaries - - those extraordinary people who sacrificed their lives for the good of others, yea for the love of gospel service to their fellow man in foreign countries, they suffered privation, pain and some even death, and this, in order to make known to others the love of God, the grace of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

For many of us, a vivid picture in our minds was painted, one which readily stirred our hearts as we listened. Missionaries - - such people still exist today, however; our perceptions of missions and missionaries is still rather bleak. So what is a missionary? a missionary is said to be "a  person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country."

The definition is definitely saturated with meaning, but is that the only definition of what a missionary is? To serve in a foreign land is a great adventure, however; only a few are afforded that opportunity. When the great commission was first given to the disciples in the twenty eighth chapter of Matthew, Jesus assures and commands them saying: 

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

From the words of Jesus Christ himself, we get an indication that there is a part for all to play. ‘Go ye’ shouldn't that mean me? ‘teach all nations’ But we can’t all go to foreign lands or can we? ‘whatsoever I have commanded you.’ The mandate comes from God, the method comes from God, the vessel? that’s you and me.

Hudson Taylor once stated that "the Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

We may not all be able to travel to foreign lands to do missions, but we have all been called to serve; now how may I serve? One may ask? Have you ever wondered how many people in your family, your neighborhood, your community, your College, University, your workplace and your areas of influence actually know about God? Have you ever thought how the power of living an exemplary, godly Christian life can show the practicality of true Christianity? Let your sphere of influence become your mission field!  

One of the most expressive writers of all time Ellen White, writes “Every son and daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called to the service of God and our fellow men; and to fit us for this service should be the object of our education.”

Are YOU a missionary?