Some are Called to Go, More are Called to Stay

Last updated on: November 18, 2014 at 3:27 pm by Bob Robinson

Some are Called to Go, More are Called to Stay 2014-11-18T15:27:20-04:00 Bob Robinson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many churches have annual Missions Conferences. For a week, we concentrate on overseas missionaries, highlighting their good work of proclaiming the gospel to those in foreign lands. And with this in mind, our sermons often look at the life of Paul the Apostle—the consummate model of the traveling missionary. Certainly, Paul is the epitome of the Great Commission to “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). And in light of this, we are encouraged to contemplate if God is calling us to go as well. We are to ask, “Am I called to overseas missions too?”

But when I read about Paul’s missionary journeys, what strikes me is how he does not call those to whom he preaches and ministers to become traveling missionaries like him. He seems to actually expect most of them to live normal lives right where God has placed them, and to be missionaries right there. In fact, at one point in his first letter to the Corinthians, he says, “Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches…So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God” (see 1 Corinthians 7:17-24).

While God calls some to go like Paul, he calls most to stay.

Paul’s method of operation was this: He and his companions would go from town to town and set up shop there making tents, like he did in Corinth in Acts 18:3. And, “as was his custom,” he’d go into the synagogue of that town on the Sabbath days where “he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead.” This is what he did in Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-3).

So when he wrote back to the people there, he could say, “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:9).

Yes, Paul and his fellow missionaries worked. And they actually saw their work as a major part of being missionaries. He wanted to set an example for the people in those communities—a model for the normal way a Christian to is to function in the world. He worked hard making good tents. He spent time in that community, interacting with people as he provided for them a good that met their physical needs. And then he would build on these work relationships by speaking when the time was appropriate about spiritual matters.

Did the Thessalonians catch that vision? Yes. Paul wrote to them, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). They had learned from the traveling missionary how to live and work in a way that honors God and is a profound witness to those around them.

The example that Paul gave the Thessalonians became their example to all the other people in that region: This is how we live as Christians. This is how the gospel works. This is how one serves the living and true God in Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

So while a few of the Thessalonians might have gone off to become missionaries to other lands, most of them stayed and witnessed to the power of the gospel right where they already were. And how did they do that? Paul knows. It is because they worked. They worked for God.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

The Great Commission might better be translated like this: “As you are going, make disciples…” The imperative in this passage is to make disciples, wherever we are going, whatever we are doing.

How are you a missionary right where you are? How does your work witness to others that God is good and cares for them? How can you make your work “of faith” and your labor ”of love?” Have you found appropriate times to share about Jesus with your friends at work?

Our Father in heaven, we often feel guilty that we are not doing enough for you. We hear the stories of foreign missionaries who are doing wonderful work and we think of ourselves as second-class Christians. But you have told us that we are your witnesses in and through our work. We have opportunities to bless people right where we are. Thank you for that. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Amen.

____________________

Image by mickeynp. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.

Previous Post

November 5, 2014

Five Life-Altering Career Lessons for Young Professionals

Next Post

December 16, 2014 Part of the Bigger Story

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category arts and entertainment audio/video bible / theology business church college community culture education faith family government/politics leadership media medicine podcast science & tech social sector tech Uncategorized work and calling

Select a Month November 2025 May 2025 October 2024 September 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 July 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 July 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What famous prayer did Jesus teach his followers?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Hail Mary The Lord's Prayer The Prayer of Jabez The Jesus Prayer