Thankful For Missionaries

 Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

How often do you think of missionaries or pray for missionaries?  Did you not know that if you are a believer in Jesus Christ that you are a missionary?  Being a missionary is a huge responsibility and it’s all of our responsibility.  As we are thinking of our spirit of thanksgiving, I want us to focus on being a missionary ourselves, on national missionaries, and international missionaries.  

When we are saved, we can’t contain ourselves.  The grace that God bestowed upon us which led to our salvation is a powerful experience in our lives and we strive to share it.  Over time though, this excitement for some reason seems to fade.  There are many reasons for that, but one of the main reasons is that we allow the distractions of the world to take hold and find ourselves “too busy” to go about the goal.  However, you are called to be a missionary.  

Psalm 96:3 says,  3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

God told us in the Psalms that we are to proclaim Him among all people.  In Acts as well God reminds us that it begins at home and then moves outward.  Acts 1:8 says,  8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

So, when we give thanks to God for missionaries, thank Him for giving you the gift of being able to spread his message to your world. 

When we think of national and foreign missionaries, we should consistently pray for them and thank God for them.  Have you ever thought about how much they sacrifice?  They are away from their native homes.  Usually there are no friends or family near them.  They have the Lord and that is it, but that’s all they need.  That’s just an amazing thing!

Have you ever thought about the additional hurdles that many missionaries face in their lives as well?  Not only does it change their personal relationships, but the intensity of the training and the preparation can be gruelling.  Most missionaries go through the same theological training that many pastors do plus have to learn foreign languages and how to interact in new cultures.  This again takes time away from themselves and their families.  

Another huge stress is of course, financial support.  Think about it.  When a missionary surrenders, they are literally surrendering everything.  They are going to a new place with little to no job prospects and are usually depending on the support of the local church.  While they step out on faith, and God always answers abundantly (I have seen it myself), we are still human and the prospects of not having anything secure can be very daunting.  Again, another stress upon their lives.  

We as the body of Christ I believe have a tendency to take these things for granted.  Personally, I’m offended by how lackadaisical we have become with our respect and thankfulness for missionaries.  I have heard other Christian brothers and sisters talking when they have had missionaries come speak at their church say, “Oh, we just had a missionary come speak this morning…”  Really?  We should be so excited, exclaiming, “You should have heard this missionaries account of how Jesus is moving!”  Same with Gideons.  The spreading of God’s Word should excite every believer and personally, in my own life, I’m ashamed that I have not been as grateful as I should be.

Let us be thankful this day for missionaries and thank God for allowing us to be involved in His work.