I grew up as a missionary kid in Asia. I was adopted at a young age into a family that loves the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength and has given their lives in service to Him.
As I look back at my own life, I can see how God has been with me from the beginning. I am a walking, breathing testament to faithful men and women proclaiming the goodness of Jesus Christ to me.
The Lord has also given me a desire to serve Him, and I am reminded every day of His love and grace that washes me.
I know that no matter what I do, I have nothing to offer on my own, but He gives freely of Himself to me. His free gift cannot only remain in me, but must be shared with whomever I encounter.
Dying to self each day
If someone were to ask me, “What does it take to serve on the missions field?” I would tell them it takes dying to self each day and surrendering all you think you know to what God has called you to do.
It takes someone who is adaptable, moldable and willing to learn and try new things that are outside of their comfort zone. Being teachable is essential because in most cases you are doing a complete life change and so much will be unfamiliar.
Finally, I believe it takes patience, which is probably the most impactful characteristic one needs while serving on the missions field.
Ever since coming to the U.S. for college, I have been yearning to go back to the field.
The food, the colors, the people, the memories — I miss it all dearly. I come from a proud second-generation missionary family that has served the peoples of Southeast Asia with love and respect for many years, and I believe that I was called at a young age to be a missionary too.
‘Eternity at play’
I am often distracted and comforted by what the world offers, and I sometimes become complacent. But through God’s goodness and provision, my eyes have been opened to what is at stake.
Eternity is at play, and we have the privilege to be part of the greatest story ever told: God Almighty calling back a lost and dying people to Himself, making Himself known so that “the earth will be filled with His glory as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jeremiah Worten and originally published by the Baptist Record.
