Many go into missions for all the wrong reasons. Let me be very clear here…being a missionary should not be because you love to travel, want to fill your passport full of stamps, or want to take pictures for your Instagram feed and “influencer” portfolio. If that is what you want to do, GO! Travel! Fill that passport! Flood Instagram with your amazing pictures and influence the world. Do that! Even better, while you are traveling, share the Gospel! You should be doing that anyway. Like no matter where you are. But for the love, don’t Trojan horse your wanderlust desires into the beautifully wrapped gift called “missions”. It’s manipulative, deceptive, and just gonna put it out there, a lie. 

However, for those of you that legitimately feel led to go onto the mission field, I have 10 basic tips for you. They are a bit preliminary in the sense that even if you take to heart these 10, you should still seek out preparation. These tips may seem basic at first glance, so take your time, honestly assess your heart, and from there pray about if you still think it’s for you.

Without further ado: 

1. Love God…really…and deeply

This may seem very obvious, but over the years, we have seen many people come through on teams, as short term interns, etc, and it is absolutely shocking how many people are “doing” things for God but have zero clues about Him. A phony is totally obvious, and let me say this loudly for all those in the back. EVERYONE KNOWS. You potentially could do more harm than good if you don’t have this on lock. For that reason, it’s coming in at #1.

There must be a deep conviction in your heart and soul for integrity, faithfulness to Him and the mission, it’s called character. I could go on. This is so essential. The mission field is not for someone who is just barely hanging on by a thread and hoping this will save them. The deal is, missions is freaking hard. You are in a different world, different language, no family, no present support system, the financial support of other. The external pressures are enough to crush you if you are suffering internal pressures as well. 

This is a non-negotiable. Loving God means actively pursuing Him in every way. Do that. We have not arrived, we lean into Him more each day for grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc, but the inside must be strong and at peace so that when storms come, and they will, you will demonstrate to all around you what being built on the rock looks like. 

2. Love others…like more than yourself

You know how in the Bible there are M U L T I P L E scriptures of us putting others, their needs, their convictions before our own? So that is because it’s important. If you love God (see #1) then the next logical thing we ever need to do is love others, mostly because Jesus says it is the most important thing. And while I can say many things, Matt 26:30-40 should be enough.

Truthfully, I do think people want to love others, but the depth of what that means and looks like is a little vague for most, so Jesus says “love your neighbor as you love yourself”. Maybe I’ll do another blog soon on this alone, but for now, look at how you are taking care of yourself and pursuing God and excellence. Think about how you WANT to be treated, loved, cared for…could you say that you pursue others that way? Don’t be too quick to say yes.

3. Be a normal human

I think humanity, in general, is weird. We do the strangest things in an attempt to fit in or experience something. So we go to google, to search out the oft skewed perspective of others on a particular culture, and then we replicate that behavior. 

Likewise, we do that with missions. We google: What does a missionary do? How do they talk? How can I be one? Listen. You are who you are where you are. You will NOT change just because you become a missionary. Being a missionary will not “save” you. In fact, I would go as far as to say, that you could be a “missionary” by title and still not even have a relationship with the Lord. 

On a spiritual level, just don’t be weird. Desire God. Seek to serve Him. Tell others about Him. Jesus drew others in by His love, kindness and the hope He gave. Do that.

4. Be humble & teachable

A subtle and yet overwhelmingly common trend among North Americans who go to the mission field is to think that you are God’s answer for these people, the holy one, and if you don’t go, they won’t hear the Word of God. Let’s be clear here, God has no problem replacing someone who doesn’t heed the call. 

God has been around since for-ebruary. He speaks to whomever He desires including whatever people group you are serving. They hear from Him just like you. There is no place on earth that the Holy Spirit cannot invade. There is a good chance that going onto the mission field, especially in the beginning (but hopefully forever), will change your life the most. You will learn all the things that are disgusting in your heart, expose all the wounds you never took the time to heal, and face the immaturity you have hid so well. 

Let it happen. Learn, be humble. Take time to prepare yourself before going.

5. The mission is ALWAYS pointing people to Jesus.

It’s human nature that one would go onto the mission field and begin thinking of all the things they can do to reach people. The plan is made, the vision is cast, and the quest for getting people in to fill the empty space of an idea begins. Intentions are pure, but ego hits at some point when you realize it’s not producing enough results to yield substantial financial support so you begin to see what else you can do, fluff.

The problem is that often times, your efforts are then motivated by results: what draws crowds, produces numbers, and eventually you will find yourself far from the call of a missionary and simply put, working within “humanitarian” efforts that eludes to God just enough to win the Christian support but also not too much as to lose the support of secular/government organizations. 

The mission can’t be focused on generating finances, notoriety, numbers. If any potential supporter ever puts you in a position to produce those things, run from any penny they want to throw at the mission. God is not for sale.

You can have 100s of people in your programs, classes, etc, but if none of them are sincerely transformed by the love of Jesus Christ nor in contact with the Holy Spirit every time they walk into your doors, what are you really doing. Jesus HAS to be the focus of the mission.

6. Be present

In this day and age, the pressure to be a social media superstar can be overwhelming. The trap of believing that people need to see you are in fact doing “holy” things is a strong one. The problem is that if you are constantly behind a camera to deliver a moving news feed of what appears to be poor dirty children and destitute families then when are you actually ministering to said children and families?

What you can be sure of is that you have made the locals feel like they are on display for you to show your first-world friends how “great” you are for going to the least of these, when the actual point was to restore them to right relationship with their maker; introduce them to the lover of their soul who desires for them to live spiritually whole lives. That requires real conversations, listening to them, walking with them…truly. Be present in their real lives. Active in discipleship. Not because you need to keep up appearances but because you have a deep conviction to see them come to know the Lord intimately. 

7. Know your mission

Let me preface this with, “you don’t have to know the ENTIRE vision before you leave home”.  For example, we came to Costa Rica because we KNEW God was leading us here. But when we arrived in Costa Rica, we had no idea why. So, we served every ministry we could find here our first few years. We knew we needed to learn many things, namely what is God already doing here and who is doing it? Maybe the call for you isn’t to start anything new at all. Maybe it’s to serve a ministry faithfully with a special skill and passion you have. Through doing those things, He will stir up a vision in your heart. 

The point here is, be obedient. Serve others faithfully until God speaks, then write that vision down with as many details as possible so that when the enemy comes to distract you with all the “good things” & creative ideas, you will know that maybe it isn’t God at all. 

Remember, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he already knows that if you have gotten as far as being a missionary, he most likely can’t steal your relationship with the Lord, so he will distract you enough to steal your vision, kill the mission, and destroy the purpose God has for you with his people. Stay focused. 

8. Be aware of the enemy who will ALWAYS use stupid junk to try to take you out.

I don’t like to give much attention to the enemy but the reality is “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t let it be you. When it comes to living abroad, some legalities, laws, and details could be the difference between a lifetime on the mission field or being sent home with your chances of returning being taken from you. Now THAT is something the enemy would do.

You must do your due diligence to make sure you are there legally, within the law regarding your length of stay/visa, finances, driving, health, etc. If the enemy can’t accomplish what John 10:10 says, he’ll move onto the boring details that you can’t control. A simple oversight, a day over your visa, a driving accident, etc.  (Rom 13:1)

Another aspect of this is knowing your deepest weakness: anger, fear, etc because the enemy will go there. He will prey on those weaknesses to make you want to go back home away from this terrible place that you just can’t bear to be anymore. #CultureShock

From experience, the enemy is relentless with this one. He has used fear for my or my children’s safety and well being and even potential street fights. The Lord immediately brought this to mind and we had to exercise ultimate self-control and rely on the Holy Spirit to avoid a situation that could have landed us in jail and sent back to the States. 

9. BE FAITHFUL & ethical

Being in a place alone without oversight may not seem like a problem until you find yourself in a situation where you probably needed it. You may not have anyone there to tell you to stick it out, stay put, be faithful, but a basic fundamental of Christianity is reflecting the character of God through our lives. One of those characteristics is God’s faithfulness. Be faithful. Don’t ministry hop. Have integrity, don’t be flaky. In order to have a future of fruitfulness in the ministry, you need to represent Jesus well in the local community. 

If you feel that God has given you a specific ministry focus, you should spend time seeing if that is already happening in the area. If so, go meet them, see what they are doing. Maybe God would have you serve them and use your talents to bring the vision to life. If not, consider doing your ministry in a different area as to not bring conflict and maintain an alliance working together at times. 

10. Be these things WHERE YOU ARE.

Ultimately, none of the things matter on the mission field if you are not already doing them where you are. These things are all required of us no matter where you are on the map. 

1. Loving God
2. Loving people
3. Being a normal human
4. Being humble & teachable
5. Pointing people to Jesus
6. Being present
7. Knowing your mission/purpose
8. Being aware of the enemy’s tactics
9. Being faithful & ethical 
10. Being you, wherever you are

There is no better place to be doing these things in your hometown. Once you can master them there, if you feel God leading you abroad…short term or long term…then do it. But not until you know that you are not going to have to google how to be a missionary again ;)*

“I had never gone outside of the country for a mission trip before until I joined my church for a mission trip to Costa Rica. In school classes we learn about the differences between cultures and different people groups, leaving me expecting to be hyper-aware of how people in the United States differ from other cultures. However, arriving in Costa Rica, I quickly forgot I was no longer in the States and saw how people from different walks of life share striking similarities. Language barriers presented difficulties but the Holy Spirit worked through them to minister to other people. He also taught me more about His character.

Our first full day in Costa Rica, my group visited Triangulo and Casa Pan, two great opportunities to meet Visiting Triangulo opened my eyes to how people all over the world, in all socio-economic levels share the same need for God. I have been learning how I constantly need God, but to see people who live in another country about to lose their home gave me a greater perspective of how God is all-powerful and cares for all of His creation. Standing in Triangulo next to a large tree in the middle of the walk-way was the first moment I remembered I was no longer in the United States. At this moment, I was not uncomfortable with being separated from my home but thrilled. Triangulo, though drastically different from what I know in the States is still home to many people. I remember looking up at the sky, recognizing how similar it looks in my home-town and making a realization of how similar people all over the world are. Visiting Costa Rica gave me more understanding of all people’s similarities and decreased fear of leaving the United States for longer periods of time.

I was blown away to learn more about Doña Melba’s family and their story. I left encouraged by how God had provided for each child and displayed Himself in so many ways. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her kids. I have been trying to learn Spanish for years (learning languages in classroom settings is not efficient) and I had the ability to interact on some level with the younger kids. I enjoyed putting into practice a skill I have been too afraid to use. I remember at the beginning of the trip, saying “yes” to God meant saying “yes” to step out of my comfort zone in relying on a translator and attempting Spanish.

Though it was hard to communicate, I recognized how people appreciated my effort and how I could communicate in other ways. As I desperately tried to speak Spanish and understand different words, the kids were gracious in repeating their sentences and working with me. We could connect over their interests and not just their words.

The same issue of language barriers came up while putting on a VBS in a different neighborhood. I remember a small kid who was too afraid to join the group inside. God placed it on my heart to approach him, but again, I was too afraid of not being able to communicate. One of the other members of my group prompted me to approach him, so I did. I attempted to play soccer with the child and could pick up on a few of the words he said. After a few minutes, he finally made his way inside with his mom and friend. I again learned how communication is more than words but tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. I attribute any effective communication to the Holy Spirit intervening for me, I could not do it on my own at all. Talking to this little boy allowed me the opportunity to talk to his mom and with the help of a translator, pray over her.

Sometimes the experiences in front of us are less about the specific moment but what it can lead to as well. It has also been incredible being able to bring Doña Melba’s story of God’s provision back to the States. A friend of mine does not have a relationship with God, but was intrigued after hearing how God provided for Doña Melba and her family.

How God is moving is not just staying in Costa Rica, but impacting lives in the United States. Though interacting with people in Triangulo and at Casa Pan was incredible, inspiring, and a true honor, I personally grew most insight while learning about The Refuge Pregnancy Center and visiting a current member’s home. This woman had left Triangulo and moved into government housing, a far distance from her home and community. Kylie (a friend of mine in my church group), Melissa, and Briana made the trip to visit her. Along the way, Melissa had the opportunity to tell Kylie and me more about the work The Refuge does to help these women. As we traveled all over Costa Rica, Kylie and I both agreed that we could see ourselves living and doing mission work outside of the United States. Getting to talk to Melissa, hear her story, and watch her serve was inspiring. I learned about the importance of being present with someone and how loving people is not about what we think people need from us but what people individually need. The woman we visited needed our presence, not our skills. She needed community, not actions. We brought her a few necessities but for the most part, we simply sat with her. She invited us in and gave Kylie and me insight into her life. She allowed us into her life, not expecting anything back. She was willing to let us into her pain without even knowing us, what an honor.

On our way out, Melissa said something to Kylie and me that stuck, we may not fully understand how much it meant for us to show up to this woman’s house but it really did mean a lot to her. There is meaning in presence. Learning to minister to different cultures means being more aware of how people perceive actions differently. Culture is less about what people eat differently or the language barriers but how people’s perception. The woman we visited perceived our presence as having significant weight, acknowledging her physical distance from The Refuge, and understanding the effort put into reaching out to her.

Attending the church service at New Life Church was also impactful. The Sunday we visited was either the day my German Exchange friend was leaving the United States or the day she returned to Germany. During her travels, I met a German who had been in Costa Rica for the year, the year Kathi had been in the United States and accepted Christ. He lives 45 minutes (not a significant amount of travel) away from her. I had been concerned with Kathi having community when she returned to Germany, and even if they never meet, it was a moment God showed me how He can and will provide for her. Seeing God be faithful to her while she was leaving the United States- my home, to go back to hers- Germany, and me being in Costa Rica really showed me how God is the Provider, not myself. Though not a ministry moment, while I was walking in obedience, God gave me reassurance in other areas of my life, a true gift.

Reflecting on Costa Rica led to a deeper understanding of the universal necessity to depend on Christ. I have been taught about my need to depend fully on Christ, have heard miraculous stories from all over the world on how God continues to provide, but visiting Costa Rica gave faces to the idea that God really is present everywhere, at all times. God also used this time to show me that I personally can serve God in other parts of the world, making international living more of an option. I am thankful for how Melissa and Briana openly talked with Kylie and myself, sharing her heart for the people of Costa Rica, and offered insight on how an international missionary lives.”

“With permission, Marce (aka Barbie Chef) is allowing me to share some of her story.  She has been one of our translators over the years in Costa Rica; you get to know your translators as well as their stories and even their families.  Marce’s family had been estranged; for nine long years, she had prayed for her family knowing the only hope was Christ. Marce had been a spiritual farmer, preparing the field with her tears, prays, and promises from God; the field was white and ready for harvest… and the Lord would allow me to be a part of the harvest.  

Marce’s sister had a baby while we were in Costa Rica, a beautiful, healthy baby girl.  The new momma was having trouble breathing, so tests were run. The shock came when the medical doctors stated they had found spots on both of her lungs; the situation was very serious and life-threatening.  Marce received a phone call from her family for the first time in nine years!        

Dear Jesus:

My last trip to Costa Rica trip was unique because we were used in so many tangible ways; you know, like building furniture for a women’s shelter, performing skits for children’s ministry, sponsoring a hip-hop dance contest at a local church (my favorite!), face painting for the neighborhood kids, and serving in a health clinic for those in need.  However, Costa Rica 2019 was beyond, beyond, beyond anything I could ever have imagined.

Pastor Paul had asked me to stop what I was doing at the health clinic.  What? You want me to collect my stuff because you have a new assignment for me. What? “Darla, the Lord has put it on my heart for you to go to the hospital and pray over Marce’s sister.”  Pastor Paul knew I was ready; however, I was an emotional mess, wondering how I could pray over someone with possible cancer when I had just lost my husband to that ugly disease. Honestly, Lord, I did it for Marce.

Arriving at the hospital, I could believe it when I saw all those hundreds of people standing outside; they were all waiting to get into the hospital to see their loved ones.  There was no way we were going to get in, any time soon; it was going to be a very long wait. Lord, you knew the harvest was white! A heart, a life, a soul was ready! It was going to take a miracle from YOU to get us into that hospital room!  

When we went into the lobby, the main security guard was not happy when we approached her; telling us (in her outside voice) to get back outside.  Lord, she was angry and it showed. At that very moment, I knew you wanted me to pray very specific, “place us under your wings, cover us with Your hand, remove every single obstacle that was in our way, no, Your way!”  Marce had a fire lit under her! She had a boldness that came straight from her heart to YOURS! And vice versa! We needed a miracle! And my goodness gracious, we got one! Then another, then another! Excuse me while I still tear up! 

Within minutes, Marce had us in another area of the hospital where a very kind employee (angel maybe!!??!) let us in and showed us to the elevators.  However, the elevator stopped working as soon as we stepped into it. Satan was furious! This was a spiritual war for sure! No worries we will walk up the stairs, um the stairs that lead us back to the main lobby! The main security guard saw us, started to shout, and come after us!  How many times did I prayed the same thing? “Lord, place us under Your wings, cover us, and protect us! Lead us! Guide us! Get us to the harvest!” Be sure and tell me when I get to heaven, please.

By this time, I was praying out loud! I was terrified! And I just remember saying to our group, “Do not stop keep going, faster! Do not stop!”  As the security guard was about to reach us, her anger shifted towards a young man. Whatever that young man did or did not do, the screaming got louder, but not at us! We were on our floor! MIRACLE!

 A mother was sitting upstairs in the hallway, eyes red and swollen from the tears.  She could not believe that we had come to pray for her daughter!!! All those years had been forgotten because the need was so great with her daughter’s health!  I just kept hugging her, holding her, and telling her I loved her even though I had never met her in my life! Lord, you always say that to us! She needed to hear those words from You! 

When we entered the room, the new baby was nursing!  After we said our hellos, I knew in my heart you wanted me to tell her that is was nothing in me (us), nothing in our flesh; however, it was YOUR power that lived in us.  YOUR power that raised Jesus from the dead; YOUR power that obeyed when you spoke “let there be light” because all those atoms/cells came together in obedience due to YOUR power!   I loved the way she accepted that it was YOUR power that was going to be released onto her and to do major things in and for her. Tears fell and she was ready!  

I had to ask her, “If you stand before the Lord, and He asks, ‘why should I let you into heaven?’ What will you say?”  She did not know what to say! And that is ok, the only answer is YOU! Gently she repeated the tender words of giving her heart and her life to you.  She was ready to have your forgiveness; she was ready for hope, and she accepted you as Lord and Savior. It was so beautiful.

Then all of us placed our hands on her; we prayed for her breathing, her rest, and that her peace would be restored.  She told her Marce the next morning, she had not slept like that in a very long time, Wow! Lord, you granted her great sleep.  Next, she told Marce that while we were praying over her she could breathe; she was able to take deep breaths. Tears still flow at your tenderness for your daughter.  Lord, I had some oil; however, instead of anointing her hands, I anointed her feet. Odd? Yes. Obedience? Yes. Then we prayed for her healing.

 There were 5 other ladies in the room due to their pregnancies being high risk.  The need was huge, Lord, you are greater! We prayed for three other ladies, two declined.  Later, we were told that many nurses, patients, and even doctors stopped by our door. I would have prayed all night.  We returned to the hallway of a mother still in tears, who literally sat there for at least two hours while we prayed in her daughter’s room.  She had no idea as to what happened in that room; however, You knew! 

When we returned to the car, it was a mother who needed You! Needed Your strengthen!  She released it all to You! Her broken heart could barely utter any words! She was weak, and YOU were strong! She was reminded that if she would trust in You, You would fight her battle. She placed her trust in YOU! Laid it at YOUR feet! She gave her heart back to you! You accepted a mother’s heart.

The next morning, when the husband came up to the hospital, we learned he had given his heart and life to You, Lord at the very same hour as his wife.  We had no idea that as we prayed in the hospital, he prayed at home alone! The husband was telling You, Lord, “I need you, I need you to be a part of my life, forgive me.”  Two gave their lives to You, and one rededicated her life to you in the same hour because Marce had prayed for nine years!

As the husband and wife continued to talk, Marce’s sister asked her husband, “Did they pray for you? Did they pray for you?”  The husband answered, “No one had prayed for me, I was home alone.” His wife said, “You smell like the oil that they used to anoint me!!”  “No one has anointed me.” “You smell like the oil!” Lord, later I asked Katherine what the name of the oil was we used in the hospital? Her reply brought tears to my eyes then, and still does today, “It is called peace.” 

Lord, there are no words! Many tears fall, I am wrecked! For all the miracles I witnessed and was a part of, thank you for using me.”

“Please pray. If you can, please give.

URGENT REQUEST FOR PRAYER:

Most of the time ministry is full of joy seeing so many come in contact with the love of Jesus. We work with lots of new babies and moms that bring energy to every room.

Today our hearts are very heavy as a child was born and only breathed a few breaths earthside. Isabella is now in the arms of Jesus. She is whole. She will only know perfect love.

~ A mom in our pregnancy center has had a high-risk pregnancy throughout these past 8 months.

She was due 1 month from now. She has bravely battled with keeping it and not aborting it knowing it would probably have a difficult life. She decided on life. But this little bundle couldn’t keep going and after an emergency induction early this morning, “Linda” will be going home with a broken heart and empty arms.

Please lift up the fiercest deepest prayers for this momma today, please.

Also, I know we have been asking for donations lately for our ministry, but she will need to bury her baby in two days (that’s how they do it in CR), and our momma is not financially able to cover these sudden costs, so we want to ask for a special offering for this. In total, we need around $600 to do this. *You can give to PayPal.me/TilHeReturns or on our website www.tilhereturns.com/donate just leave a note that says “Isabella” and we will make sure it goes to this

As always, thanks for your prayers BUT especially thanks for lifting up the broken heart of this special woman to the throne room of heaven. She will need them especially as she leaves the hospital tomorrow without the one she has carried the past 8 months.~ “

“Tonight will be a holy night as we lay baby Isabella in a fresh grave, in her perfect white dress. Please pray for “Linda”. Pray for us to radiate Jesus and peace and pray for His love to gush through all of space and time and pour out all over this precious momma. I’m not ready. We aren’t ready. She will never be ready. Thanks for giving and helping us help her in this time of extreme grief.“

As we sat in a circle, all 15 of us on a dirty floor with our backs leaning against the wall in a dimly lit room, we listened to Micah’s heart for this new ministry center. He shared how this would be a place for all of us and that more than a Bible Study, it would serve as a home for us as a family to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ. He reminded us of Acts 4 and that we would be known as followers by our love for each other.

Recycling is like ridiculously popular here in Costa Rica (maybe in your part of the world too), or “reusing” I should say. My kids come home daily asking me if we can make XYZ out of some old cans.

…Like watchu think this is…an episode of Hoarders? (side-eye duck face)

#trust…I throw out recycle any “old cans” as soon as the last drop of whatever it is hits my mouth. But also, I don’t drink anything in a can soooooo, there’s that. Well, except that one time after Hurricane Katrina when the National Guard gave us water in a can, but I digress…

Anyway, these kids are so dang resourceful. I’ll find “works of art” all over the backs of doors, computer cases, walls…

But sometimes I find these “works of art” around my house, they proudly begin to explain how they crafted this janky art piece using what minimal tools and supplies they had.

Catch this…

• They didn’t ask to use the garbage…they saw it & immediately recognized it as a tool
• They didn’t ask to stick it to my wall…they saw the glue or push pins or string or whatever else (eye roll) as an opportunity to hang their art like it was something beautiful
• They didn’t cry about not having any opportunities to make art (insert anything else here: serve, love, meet a need)…They just did it…they L I T E R A L L Y didn’t ask…just F R E A K I N G did it.

Now, if you come to my house, I can totes take you on a tour of my art gallery home because my hoarder sentimental son displays his “creations” made out of anything he can find…A N Y T H I N G he can find and then displays them on his shelf (in his room of course) for all to see.

Clearly, I’m not suggesting you rummage any recycle bins or anything, but if that’s your jam, then do you boo boo.

Often, while working with teams that come here to Costa Rica, many people will say “This is so amazing, I wish I could do this where I am from, but…”.

The reality is that YOU CAN and YOU SHOULD be doing it where you are from.

Let’s look at the Bible. In Exodus 4 we see Moses actin a hot mess, like us most of the time, crying about nobody will listen to me blah blah blah. Then God asks Moses “What is that in your hand?”…and God’s like let me do a demo right quick of what you gonna do with this stick right here, son and in verse 17 says “And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

…Why do we even question? Why do we act lost or confused or presume that God forgot to give us a talent when He was passing those out?

In 1 Peter 4:10-11, it says:

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

So, I’ll ask again, what is you doin’?

There is no shortage of need in this world, and the poor and hurting will always be among us. We see that in John 12:8, Matt 26:11, but look at what it says here in Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) 

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”

What is in your hand? Do you have time? a kind heart? a position in the community? finances? heart for intercession? a big car to haul people/things? open to fostering? adoption? work with kids in a school? a great listener? counselor?

There is nothing “special” about a person who moves to a foreign land to serve others. They are the same as you when you are serving others in your land. If you call yourself a believer, then you are called to use your gifts to serve others in need, in your land, according to what is in your hand. In fact, we should all serve where we are before we dare serve elsewhere.

Just as my kids never see anything in their hands as waste. They always see an opportunity to use whatever it is like something they can use, a tool. I want to encourage you to look at what gifts you have in your hands that maybe you have belittled by comparing them to another’s gifts. You are necessary and valuable. If you are unsure of what gifts you have, ask God to show you so that you can open your hands wide to your brothers and sisters in your land. 

~ THR