Thoughts on full time missions/ministry

In light of my last post, I have done some thinking, reading, and praying about my desire to one day do full-time ministry/mission of some sort. I borrowed a book this weekend from the legendary library of Nick Langford entitled The Missionary Call. It has been extremely helpful in describing the current climate in missions and the call to missions. That book, along with conversations with multiple people this weekend and the Spirit teaching me through the Word of God has made me realize a few things.

• I am extremely young and naïve at times. I am hardly wise or experienced.
• I do not need to have my whole life figured out right now. I need years of building and growing. I am not ready to take on a full-time ministry position.
• I need to learn to be faithful with what God has given me now, or I will not be faithful with much. If I am not ‘on mission’ now, getting on a plane and selling everything will not make me ready to be ‘on mission’ in a different country/state/city. If I am not sharing Christ with my co-workers now, what makes me think that I will somewhere else?
• If I really want to be about the Kingdom, then I need to be about the Kingdom where God has me now. If He moves me or calls me elsewhere, then I want to be about the Kingdom there. God has me here for the same reason that many of my friends are in other countries on mission – making disciples. How am I doing with my purpose?
• I have made the mistake of desiring a high office. I need to learn to serve and be humbled where I am at, before I take on a role that requires much more service, character, time and sacrifice.
• Sending missionaries and funding ministry is as equally important as going and doing the ministry. Going should not be idolized. Going should not be thought to be only for ‘advanced’ or ‘better’ Christians.
• Prayer is as equally important as going and sending. Praying consistently for missionaries and ministries is a far more humbling role than going or sending.
• Ultimately, this is a matter of following Jesus. Knowing His will and desires for me are best found by getting as close to Him as I can and staying there; resting in knowing Him.

Just some facts and truths that have been revealed to me. I tend to be caught up in a frenzy of passion and thought, and end up not rightly thinking about an issue. My last post was an example of that. I am young, passionate and want to throw myself fully into things, but sometimes I end up not rightly considering the whole story.

Father, help me to see things rightly and to know You. Teach me to be faithful and obedient with the little that you have given me, not so that You’ll give me more one day, but because You love me and gave Yourself for me. Thanks for sticking with me on this dirt road of sanctification and being patient with me. I love you, Dad!