Here are real examples of people searching for God’s will about missionary work as they reflect on their short-term mission trip (Serve Asia):
“Next step, I will try to get into university, and I will prepare myself better and if the Lord wills, I would like to be a missionary.”
“On this trip, the Lord taught me that I need to choose, he already chosen me and now is the time for me to choose, to decide if I am willing to deny myself and take up the cross and follow him.”
“I am not sure; I need more time to seek the will of the Lord about where he is leading me to.”
“I [now] know much more about mission works and mission field, I learn a lot from all of the missionaries I met with, I do not know if the Lord will call me, I am open to that.”
“It seems like the Lord is letting me know that I am more suitable to be a marketplace worker rather than serve as full-time missionary.”
Along the way of figuring out if you are called to missionary service, you may experience challenges, uncertainties, and rejections. You may even deny that God might be calling you. Listening to the stories of missionaries may provide a helpful picture. It takes time. For many people it takes years or even decades to clarify and confirm a missionary call. In addition, discerning a missionary calling is a collaborative effort—it is not a “personal” decision, it’s a process engaging with many parties, including family, mentors, church leaders, and spiritual friends.
If the Lord calls you to be a missionary, is a discernment journey. Jesus promises, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8 NIV).
The path towards clarifying the call is a journey towards knowing our Lord deeper and a chance for us to grow in Christlikeness. The Lord will help us to know ourselves more and to know him and his word better.
The Lord calls all of us who belong to him to follow him. Perhaps, beyond just focusing on missionary calling, the call from the Lord is “Ask, seek, and knock,” and trusting that the Lord will “Answer, provide and guide.” The Lord knows us very well—trust in him, and follow his lead.
By Edwin, an OMF missionary
