Day
14: The Measure is Faithfulness
It is very easy to measure the success of a mission trip by our own standards. How many people did we share the gospel with? Did anybody get saved? How did we, by our own efforts or power bring about real life transformation?
We must first remember that we don’t bring anything; we only represent the God who does and work in accordance with His will.
Read Isaiah 6:8-13.
Isaiah 6 is often used to encourage missionaries to go on missions. “Here I am, send me” was the cry of Isaiah in response to the question, “Who will go for us?” But then we quit reading. It’s important to see what Isaiah’s call truly was. Keep reading.
Isaiah was charged to proclaim the gospel to a people who would hear but never understand, see but never perceive. Basically, God told Isaiah that his ministry would be one with no salvations, no baptisms. So Isaiah asks, “How long, O Lord?” God’s response is difficult, telling Isaiah that he’s called to do this until the cities are leveled and the people are dead. That’s a difficult mission.
But Isaiah’s success is measured by his faithfulness to carry out God’s calling for him. The measurement is not how many disciples were made, but if Isaiah would do what God asked of him. Success is measured by faithfulness.
There may be many salvations and maybe even some baptisms, or there may not be anything like what you expect to happen. The important thing is your faithfulness to go. Remember this as you head to Guatemala. Remind yourself daily. Success is measured by faithfulness.
It is very easy to measure the success of a mission trip by our own standards. How many people did we share the gospel with? Did anybody get saved? How did we, by our own efforts or power bring about real life transformation?
We must first remember that we don’t bring anything; we only represent the God who does and work in accordance with His will.
Read Isaiah 6:8-13.
Isaiah 6 is often used to encourage missionaries to go on missions. “Here I am, send me” was the cry of Isaiah in response to the question, “Who will go for us?” But then we quit reading. It’s important to see what Isaiah’s call truly was. Keep reading.
Isaiah was charged to proclaim the gospel to a people who would hear but never understand, see but never perceive. Basically, God told Isaiah that his ministry would be one with no salvations, no baptisms. So Isaiah asks, “How long, O Lord?” God’s response is difficult, telling Isaiah that he’s called to do this until the cities are leveled and the people are dead. That’s a difficult mission.
But Isaiah’s success is measured by his faithfulness to carry out God’s calling for him. The measurement is not how many disciples were made, but if Isaiah would do what God asked of him. Success is measured by faithfulness.
There may be many salvations and maybe even some baptisms, or there may not be anything like what you expect to happen. The important thing is your faithfulness to go. Remember this as you head to Guatemala. Remind yourself daily. Success is measured by faithfulness.
Challenge: Spend time today asking God to help you remain faithful.
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