Ministering in the urban context, cross-culturally, is a privilege, but it is also very demanding. Missionaries are like everyone else. We get tired, cranky and annoy fellow missionaries we work alongside, as well as at times annoying folks in the community! We typically place expectations on ourselves that no one can possibly live up to. And to top it off we tend to be very hard on ourselves.
We write prayer letters that we are not sure anyone reads anymore. We try to continually embrace obscurity but at times our flesh wins and we want the limelight or at least acknowledgement for all our diligence and sacrifice. We face rejection more than we like to admit and learn to move past it. We do all this because of a call that we cannot abandon; a call to reach the lost in the city, even in spite of our own inadequacies.
So how do we go on? Where does our encouragement come from and what does it look like? I will skip past the obvious answers… such as “The Lord” and “The Word.” Of course this is our main source of encouragement; we would have all quit and gone home if it was not for the sustaining grace and strength from the Lord and his Word. But there are those moments we remember that encouraged us and reminded us that we are not alone in this mission.
Occasionally we receive a note from a supporter or friend and they ask about something we had written in our prayer letter, or they tell us they are praying for the situation we wrote about. That causes a wave of joy to go through our spirit. This reinforces the reality that we are in this together, they are truly our partners.
Allowing us to share our stories with others encourages and affirms us. Recounting the details of how the Lord moved and worked in a situation or someone’s life reminds us that he does work in amazing ways. Being allowed or invited to share the stories we have accumulated in our ministry encourages us. We relive those moments and are reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord. At times this includes letting us cry, acknowledging our pain or hurt or frustration.
Praying for us is huge. We know too well that the ministry is too big for us and we also know too well our inadequacies therefore we have to rely upon the Lord! Praying faithfully for an urban missionary is becoming entwined with them and their mission. Knowing that others have our backs in prayer is powerful and beyond encouraging for us, it empowers us.
Encouragement is powerful and it comes in many forms. I am thankful for whatever form it comes in!
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