I used to think that missionaries were old fashioned, a little out of touch with the real world, a little weird,and totally sold out to the Lord. But after spending time with some of our missionaries, I discovered that they are ordinary, “with-it” people. They carry on normal conversations, wear contemporary clothes, and talk about the Lord like I do. They do not speak of their four-hour devotions or how little they are living on. Yet, each of them is unique.
This really hit me when I thought about what it takes to be a missionary. There seems to be no profile for what a missionary looks like. They are ordinary Joe’s and Mary’s like you and me. They have different personalities, skills, gifts, and passions. But they all have in common a love for the Lord and a desire to be used for Him.
I find this so encouraging, for what this means is that all we have to do to be used by God is to be ourselves. It is that simple. I don’t have to be like Billy Graham, and you don’t have to be like whatever Christian superstar you choose. All you have to do is to be yourself and take those talents and passions and say, “Here am I Lord, send me.”
Now, that may involve your going somewhere far off like Indonesia. Yet, it may also mean going a short distance off, like to Anderson, SC. It could mean staying home and just being a missionary in your neighborhood, school, or church. Yes, I said church! We need people who will reach out to those in our midst who don’t know the Lord. Even the church is a mission field.
So don’t get discouraged that you are not more like your favorite Christian hero. God will use you just as you are. He made you exactly like you are for a reason. Ask God to show you what that reason is and allow Him to use what He created, not what you think He needs to get something done.