One of the things I took away from the Perspectives class I took a while back was that missions is NOT because of compassion or guilt. Social issues/physical needs is not really what missions is about. True mission is for the nations – ALL the nations – to bring glory to God. The point is to facilitate all nations, all peoples, to glorify God in their unique ways.
A parallel thought is that we glorify God by doing whatever it is He has called us each to do – not necessarily just meeting needs. Trying to meet needs, if that is the focus, can lead to burnout – do, do, do. The point is to glorify Him with our unique gifts and talents, doing what He has designed us to do, not to do for the sake of doing-even if what we are doing is good.
Abba Father, help us to see and do the things You have created us to do, using the gifts and talents You have uniquely given to each of us. Help us also to promote and help others to do the same – people of all nations, cultures, and ethnicities. Each of the peoples of the earth were created by You as unique, just as we are individually unique, and the cultural differences are part of the beautiful diversity You created to glorify Yourself! Help us to both see and foster them, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In His Service,
Kathy