UNDERSTANDING MISSION (13)

The End of the Mission.

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16

No matter the laudability of a man's ministry on the earth, no matter the greatness and vastness of his vision, and no matter the durability of his strength and physical vigor, a man's ministry comes to an end immediately he loses faith and faints in the promises of the Lord.

Once a man's heart is disconnected from his ministry, he has already lost the power to be productive and the capacity to be resilient in the assignment.

A man becomes faint-hearted when he is confronted by a lot of challenging issues, for instance:

1. Tribulations and persecutions on the field.

2. Death of a spouse or children while on the field.

3. Unyielding people.

4. Lack of constant financial support.

5. Lack of moral, psychological, and emotional support.

6. Sickness and debilitating health.

Many missionaries have lost their inner moral strength while appearing outwardly strong. As a result, they become unproductive in the field and lose enthusiasm for further work.

Once a man becomes faint-hearted for any cause, he will begin to see and hear visions that gratify his innate desires – desires that will drag him out of his mission zone to a seemingly comfortable zone.

The manifestation of a fainting heart begins with complaints and grumbling. He begins to compare his certificates and educational achievements to the present predicament. He becomes disgruntled when he considers his earlier lavish life compared to the current 'crisis' of a lower standard of living. He begins to contemplate missions elsewhere than where he is now. Aren't there missionaries in Europe and America? Who and what is condemning him to a rural village when he could fare well in developed nations? After all, there are family and relatives that could facilitate his trip.

Anytime you see a man giving only negative reports about his station to others, anytime a missionary enthusiastically discusses his challenges rather than prospects, the seed of a fainting heart has already been sown in his heart. In due course, he shall abandon his mission field.

Paul, when confronted by brethren never to attempt the journey to Jerusalem, answered them quickly: "... What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 21:13. This was a resolute heart, a heart not seeking mission comfort but ready to face suffering and death.

A man with alternative means to missions easily succumbs to passing and relative challenges. What I mean is when a man has other business opportunities to generate income more easily, these can weaken his resolve when confronted by mission challenges. Instead of persevering, he might flee hastily to his comfort zone to avoid shame and reproach from those who do not support his devotion to God's assignment.

A man who is excessively attached to family affairs cannot easily survive the challenges of the mission. A man with wealthy parents and an influential family may give up when faced with the essential challenges of the mission because he would be more drawn to a life of comfort than the task of making disciples for Christ.

Listen to this great missionary, 'I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ." - Philippians 3:7-8. Until a missionary sees his family, friends, and others as distractions that must be easily set aside, he may live under their influence and eventually abandon his duty post.

The men and apostles of faith erased the desire for their former cities and life from their hearts so that they might be focused on the better city: "If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." - Hebrews 11:15-16

Any missionary who intends to last long in the mission field must deliberately let go of the pleasures of his former life to be fully concentrated on the new assignment given to him.

God bless you.

Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA, a serving missionary with: Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

WhatsApp: (+229) 94139130

Mobile no.: (+234) 8066540987, (+234) 7084504532

Email: peterrazaq@yahoo.com

Twitter & Instagram: @peterrazaq

LinkedIn: Revd. Peter OLAYINKA