Missionaries in Itineration
I may go home after a difficult support-raising call, lick my wounds and cry on God's abundant and loving shoulders. However, I obey Him and stay the course, just as Jeremiah did wearing the full armor of God. The news isn't good, but salvation is guaranteed if we come to repentance and turn our eyes back on the Author of our existence. May God have mercy on us and give us strength as we battle the foe on our own ground. It wearies me no end to be the bearer of this particular gift � but we desperately need revival in our churches and we, the missionaries, are just the ones to bring that gift to a lost people.
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness�the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (Col. 1:24-29)
The Gift of God's Voice: I also believe that the missionary brings a special message from God, specifically created for the one(s) to whom she is to speak. A private, special message delivered in person by God's holy messenger. Every time I speak to any audience, whether it be an audience of one or a full church congregation, I feel the Holy Spirit yearning to speak to Christ's beloved. I'm never sure what that message is, but I come spiritually prepared. In my own case, I usually do not prepare what I will say, exactly, but will instead make myself available to the Holy Spirit to speak through me. I will let the people I'm meeting with know this, pray and then, together with them wait to see what God has to say to them. It is the most extraordinary experience! This approach is relatively comfortable for me since I have the gift of gab and usually feel comfortable speaking without notice. I believe the Holy Spirit can deliver just as specific and special a message with prior preparation if it is more comfortable. The idea is for the missionary to know the Holy Spirit has something specific to say to the particular audience she is to address on this particular occasion and then be open to allowing Him to speak through her.
The above approach is so rewarding I can't imagine doing anything else. I receive such a spiritual charge and feel it reaching out to the people. The response from the people is always confirming and surprising. They come up to me afterwards and let me know how they were affected. This is what we are all about� allowing Christ to use us to change lives, to inspire, to motivate, to bring the Church back to their first love. A "canned" presentation may cause us all to miss this surprising blessing of God's direct communication with us and through us!
