Should I Stay or Should I Go

"Why is it that some Christians cross land and sea, continents and cultures, as missionaries? What on earth compels them? It is not in order to commend a civilization, an institution or an ideology, but rather a person, Jesus Christ, whom they believe to be unique."

― John Stott

What in the world is going through someone's mind as they leave for a country or people group that doesn't want them? They leave the comfort of their North American lives to risk life and limb; why? Most people don't understand missionaries, those people outside the church and also inside. Let's face it, I am a missionary, and sometimes I am stumped on why we went. Our reason for going might be different than others, but at the core is the command to Go. I saw that command and thought to myself, why is no one doing this. Why is only 10% of missionaries going to the hard to reach areas of the world? I was motivated, first, by the command to Go, and second by a lack of workers to least-reached regions of the world.

I want to talk about why people feel called to go, and what that looks like as it plays out. I also what to maybe clarify what some missionaries are thinking as they start this journey into missions. Maybe, perhaps by the end, I might get you thinking about stepping into missions yourself.

Calling: My definition of calling is this; "We are called to serve God and His church first and foremost, and He will lead us according to the giftings He has given us." Many people have a different idea of calling and how it's defined, and that's ok. But to understand why people leave house and home, you first need to understand calling. I remember after Ashley and I decided on Turkey. I had a few people ask me if I felt called to Turkey, I didn't have an answer for them. They told me that if I didn't feel a direct call or audible voice telling me to go, I was not called. I wrestled with that, could I not question and reason out why I was going? Am I not allowed to choose to go just because I see a need that I can fill? Why do I need to hear an audible voice? Don't get me wrong, a distinct voice from God would be lovely, and I would be lying if I said I didn't pray for one. But doesn't God speak through the bible?

I think that we as Christians wait too long for that audible voice and forget that we already have His words. Or we can use it as an excuse not to go into missions or to share with our neighbour because we have yet to have Paul's Macedonian call experience. I have learned that everyone's experience is different; I never felt a direct call to Turkey or the Turkish people. I saw a need, I felt the command to go, and I walked through open doors. I was willing, and as we landed in Turkey, God started opening my heart to the county and people. Also, not all missionaries want to go overseas. I have met a few career missionaries who have spent over 25 years on the field who weren't there because they wanted to be, they were there because they felt the command to Go. You may be thinking that this all sounds crazy, why would people leave everything behind, when they didn't want to. The answer is simple; the gospel is more significant than us. Those who go, or those who stay and minister in their communities, understand that this is life or death. They know that Jesus died so that all can experience life, but if no one tells them, they will die and go to hell. It may sound harsh, but according to the word of God, its the truth.

As a missionary, let me correct myself; as a Christian, it is my responsibility to be willing to be used to help build His church. All Christians should be living out the command to Go! Maybe you feel led to move into a lower-income neighbourhood in your city, or maybe its to start a bible study or prayer group at work, and perhaps you feel led to serve overseas. One of the most frustrating comments I hear is, "I could never do what you do." I think that statement does a discredit to God, because Its God that not only gives me the strength to live out my faith, He also is the one doing all the work.

So why do people go into missions? Its because they understand the great commission. They don't just have it memorized; they truly understand the urgency of it. Please don't take from this that I think overseas missions is the best and only way to serve. God places us in different areas of the world so that His kingdom may grow. The work in Canada is just as important as the work in India. I think that there are Christians who have the giftings, abilities, and willingness to serve overseas who are just too afraid to take that first step. If that's you if you have let fear in, I encourage you to take that to the Lord. Take that first step, if doors open, keep walking, and if they close, stop and pray for direction. God is looking for willing people to do His work in this world, Its a simple prayer, "Lord use me." whether we stay or go, our call is the same, to serve God, and His church.