When Jesus sent his apostles out into the world with the command “Go and make disciples…” he didn’t say, “and come straight back,” so this is an appeal to STAY a little longer…
Some get discouraged with various difficulties and go home. Perhaps the Japanese language seems just impossible. Or else the culture. Or perhaps the difficulty of evangelism in Japan. But wherever you go in the world ministry is difficult. As Jesus said to Paul, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9, ESV). So please come with determination to STAY a little longer…
God our Heavenly Father is committed to teaching us certain things. One of those is humility. I am convinced that no one gets used by God in this country without first being humbled. Perhaps you have failed, had difficulties with your teammates, or been unwise. You want to escape the pain and go home. But then God will start all over again with you in a different place. “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Heb 12:7). So please come with this expectation, be patient under God’s mighty hand, and STAY a little longer…
Some come for a short time to see what Japan is like. That is fine and we will welcome you! But don’t think you will really be able to ‘test your call’ by such a trip. If your home church has recognized your call to minister to God’s people and to evangelise the lost, then please come and STAY your whole life…
Some think that a short mission trip will satisfy God and get them off the hook for the rest of their lives. However, the Lord said, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62) So change your thinking and STAY until he decides!
We are weak sinners saved by grace, and becoming a missionary doesn’t automatically give immunity to sin or confer endurance. It is all mercy from the throne of grace. And if after 36 years you can say with us, ‘we stayed a little longer’… then the GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE.
by Rod, an OMF Missionary
