Are you feeling discouraged about your work and have a passion for ministry? Or are you just wrestling with feeling unequipped like you are not sure how to share the Gospel? Grab some tea or coffee, and let’s chat a little!
About four years ago I had this grand idea of what my life would look like in the years to come.
-live in the Dominican Republic
-be working in full time ministry
-hopefully married
-100% confident in my Espanol
-fit and making “healthy” my life style
-have my own car
And yada yada yada
Well, let me just tell you that my life now is not exactly what I thought it would look like a few years ago (especially being fit HAHA ). I do live in the Dominican Republic and I did marry the man of my prayers buuuttt…
-I am not in full time ministry
-90% still nervous with my Espanol although I am fluet
-daily trying to find the discipline to take care of my body
-do not have a car
Of all the things mentioned on my list, I have wrestled a lot with no longer being in full time ministry. Some days I almost feel bad that I am no longer serving in ministry full time, and then other days I feel that I am doing more ministry now than when I was a missionary. When I am in the states visiting, I often get the question, “Oh so what do you do there [in the Dominican Republic]?” And close to every time I answer, I feel almost a little hint of guilt that I came to do ministry but am no longer serving in missions.
When I moved here three years ago, I had no doubt in my mind that I would be a life time missionary with the organization I came to serve with. I had a heart full of expectation (some expectations that I did not even realize that I had at the time), and an eagerness to jump in and serve anywhere. Little did I know that my main coworker would be a computer for the next couple years. The following years were some of the hardest and loneliest years for me. Despite the challenges that I experienced during this time, I am thankful for this season of stretching and how God molded my heart through it. But, it just was not a good fit for me.
As I have transitioned into another season and found some healing from the past season,I have realized that my worth has not decreased because I am no longer a “missionary.” In fact, I AM a missionary. I am a missionary without the title. YOU ARE a missionary without the title.
Whether you are a crazy successful business woman/man, a cashier at the local grocery store, teacher, or stay at home mom…YOU ARE A MISSIONARY. You are God’s vessel of love and peace to those around you. You have the message of the Gospel to share with everyone you come into contact with. You have been commissioned by the Creator of the universe to go and share the Good News. Each of us has this holy calling on our lives. You do not have to have a certain label in order to do so. Just an obedient heart.
We do not have to beat ourselves up for working a normal 9-5 job. We do not need to feel discouraged like we are not making a difference because our work takes place outside of a church building. WE ARE THE CHURCH. We are the walking, breathing church. No matter if we are in an office, a coffee shop, a hospital, or at home. Our mission field is right in front of us, and we are commissioned and equipped to share the Good News no matter what.
We are all missionaries, even if it is without the title.
Journey to Dominican 