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Real Answers™
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Copyright: ©2010 James J. Jackson
599 words

"GOING" ON A MISSION

By: James J. Jackson

Mission activities near home, throughout American and abroad, can be very beneficial to those in need – and personally rewarding for those who make a commitment to serve in this manner.  I've participated in several mission trips, most recently in Chihuahua, Mexico to distribute eyeglasses, where people of all ages were greatly appreciative of improved sight.

Acquaintances have expressed a desire to go on mission trips, but have not done so.  Finances were a problem for some; others could not take time from work.  Some expressed fear about being able to do the work. There are a multitude of mission endeavors:  some require physical strength, such as construction teams; others require professional or technical skills, such as surgery, immunizations, and other medical and dental assistance.  Most mission endeavors, however, simply require volunteers to help those who are less fortunate.

Why are missions important?  Certainly to provide assistance.  But also to show the love of Christ.  Unconditional love for people here and overseas counters a growing attitude toward our culture as arrogant, aloof and uncaring. When we meet and warmly greet people, they see that we care about them, and many develop a new attitude toward us.

What does ‘going’ on a mission entail? Can we be a part of ‘going‘ to the mission field without actually traveling?  In America, we often take for granted the rich blessings God has bestowed upon us.  Eyeglasses are one example. Americans can buy reading glasses for as little as a dollar in convenience and grocery stores. Often insurance covers at least part of the cost of eye wear. In Sri Lanka, thousands of people lost their eyeglasses in the tsunami, with no means of replacing them.  People were overwhelmed with gratitude by such a small gift from a previous mission team.

The spirit of a missions trip is summed up in the 6th Chapter of Luke when Jesus says "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (v.31)  Though some cannot go on mission trips, they can financially assist a mission team.  They can make hand puppets or other Vacation Bible School tools that the missionaries could use to share the Gospel message.  They can serve as partners who constantly pray for the preparations for the trip and for the hearts and souls of the people the missionaries will serve.

Those who help send missionaries to God’s mission field are part of the ‘going’. The Holy Spirit calls those who He intends to physically ‘go’ and do the work of missions, sharing God’s love and His good gifts with others who may not know Him personally. But, He also gives others who cannot travel for whatever reason the resources to assist those “going”, through gifts, prayer support, assistance in fundraising events, and in countless ways that equip those who do the actual ‘going’.

So, we are to ‘go’ when possible, and help others ‘go’ at other times. By doing so, we are participating in the ‘going’.

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com

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