The first time I was called into Mission was during the blazing ages of C4 (Conquer Canada in 4 years), an age where CFC-Youth was called to zealously open parishes, high schools in every corner of the city, province and country . Every thing about life (time, energy, investments in relationships of those around me) was subject to the Mission. The tagline for me in those years was “abandon it all”, “whatever it takes”, “God’s Mission requires your whole life”, “Denial of self”.
Years of introspection later, the tagline remains with a different focus. In Mission, you may “offer your life” to the Lord (so at first glance, a loss), but the gain is so much greater, another life, one that is divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
I was told in a 1-1 with a Kuya: “For Missionaries to be effective in this age, they must not just proclaim the sacrifices, but the miracles He works though them.”
Attachments, desires, dreams, are not things to be feared or deemed hindrances to the Mission (i.e “sacrificed”), for these are all matter and material for Him (when reflected upon and surrendered) to work His miracles and changes in the Mission. A Missionary’s proclamation of the Gospel is their life . I may not be in my profession as a Teacher, but I am Teaching in His own way. I may be the greatest over-thinker, but this is where He is constantly changing me through the prayer “take and receive my liberty, my will, and [literally] my memory.” (*cue instrumental of Take and Receive). And this is just the beginning.
As He tackles the lists of sacrifices from within, His miracles continue to be magnified.
Lord, may I continuously desire conversion, so that I may proclaim Your Good News in creative ways to Your people.
