Candle in the Corner
November 10, 2009
For ten years I have lamented the fact that I’m not a missionary. I went to school for it; I studied and trained and then everything changed. I got married and life didn’t turn out the way I envisioned. I felt God had promised me something greater, something better than life in the suburbs.
Once, during one of my moments of weeping over lost purpose, my husband asked me what I would be doing there that I couldn’t do here.
He’s right.
What would I be doing in Bosnia or France or Turkey that I couldn’t do here? We have poor. We have refugees. We have people who need to know Jesus right here in our backyard. Being a missionary isn’t about location.
Throughout this past year God has shown me how I can be a candle right here. Instead of seeing this time as a holding pattern before my life begins, I’ve begun embracing where God has me and seizing the opportunities I’ve too often overlooked. I’ve partnered with a number of missionaries and shared my heart with them. While they may long to be in the States, safer and closer to family, I long to be where they are. But God in His infinite wisdom has each of us where He wants us to be! They’re working for me there, and I’m working for them here.
They’re eating osh and rice and learning new languages while I’m eating hamburgers and pasta and learning how to build community.
They’re battling false gods of stone and wood while I battle false gods of vanity and affluence.
We face different challenges, eat different foods and work in different cultures, but our purpose is the same: to know Christ and make Him known.
Today is the LAST DAY for Heidi’s Candle in the Corner giveaway. If you haven’t entered, get over there now and do it. She has some fabulous gifts available, but best of all your contribution enables the Word of God to be spread throughout the globe. Already this event has raised over $1200!! I’m thrilled about this, but would love to see the total go even higher. Your five dollars can make a huge difference in the lives of under-supported missionaries in 12 different countries including Spain, Indonesia, South Africa and even here in the United States. These are the people who share the Gospel of Jesus on our behalf. Here’s a link so you can be part of it: www.MomsMinistryandMore.blogspot.com.
4 Comments Add your own
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
1.
carpoolqueen | November 10, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Thank you for sitting with me in my corner of the internet while I’m having a crappy day.
And thank you for shining light on the fact that God calls us to minister WHERE WE ARE and with what we have to offer.
He used to call me to go, and when circumstances changed so that I could no longer go, He called me to open my door and say “Come in” and minister in my home.
It’s a holy calling, wherever He has us.
2.
Heather | November 11, 2009 at 2:19 PM
This resonated with me. I didn’t know we had similar stories. I also prepared for the mission field. My last semester at seminary I met my husband. Deciding to stay here with him rather than go on the mission field included many tears! But I agree, it’s a matter of redirecting the same focus and ministry to a different area.
3.
kellie@LaVidaDulce | November 12, 2009 at 8:51 PM
WHen my husband was in seminary, one of the professors was always saying “ministry is where you’re at”….that has helped me as the military has pulled me away from thriving ministries, and when I was changing diapers and wondering how I might never get to do “exciting” things again, and like two nights ago when I was at a work party with The Mister and I got to talk to a lady who has been trying to get pregnant for 2 years, and she just needed someone to talk to…MInistry: It’s where you’re at!
4.
Junglewife | November 14, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Thank you for your post. you are an encouragement to me, and i am sure to so many others!
Even though I AM the one who is overseas, I struggle with some of the same things that you do. Or maybe in a different way. I struggle with the feelings of – What in the world am I doing here? I don’t feel like I am doing anything lasting for the kingdom at all – I might as well be doing “nothing” back in the States! i don’t feel like I am living an “exciting” life at all! But, i know that I am where God wants me, and that is the most important thing, right? To obey Him and to listen for His voice!