The second Missionary MythBuster addresses the idea that when a missionary goes to “the mission field” (which is usually considered any other country in the world), the lost people there are just waiting for someone to show them the way. This myth is one that is usually based on missionary biographies that truncate years of arduous ministry into just a few glowing pages. Or sometimes it’s drawn from a story told and retold that may be too good to be true. Whatever the source, this myth is usually dispelled after a day or two on the field.
Even though I am overstating the perception of the missionary’s mythical reception, whatever amount of this kind of prideful thinking in the heart of a goer—or in the expectation of the sender—will result only in a downfall of discouragement or even depression. The Spirit of God can and will do all that He purposes to do, and His Gospel will go to all nations, and His saving work will prevail. And God is calling and equipping men and women to go to the ends of the earth and “bear the message glorious.” However, in going, they should be prepared to stay, too—and staying demands endurance.
Hudson Taylor put it this way, “I have found there are three stages in every great work of God: first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”
“A great work will be done because God will do it.”
Somewhere between stages one and two are where most of us get discouraged and quit. But if we faithfully and joyfully endure (Mark 4:26-29), a great work will be done because God will do it. Yet in His grace and kindness, He lets His sons and daughters have a hand in building His Church out of every nation as He extends the boundaries of His Kingdom into more and more hearts.