It’s easy to think your life doesn’t matter in the grand scheme. A stay-at-home mom can feel useless in God’s kingdom purposes, missing the fact that she’s an Atypical Missionary too. She’s serving on the mission field of parenting. She’s raising up a new generation of Christ Followers, teaching them to love as He loves.
A bank clerk may feel fruitless in the mundane, day-to-day tasks, not realizing a smile and cheerful greeting may be the only kindness a customer has seen in a long time. That teller is an Atypical Missionary.
It’s a profound blessing to be an Atypical Missionary on a mission field that’s easily ignored. We assume it’s the unreached people groups who need to hear most about the Lord, and we miss out on the service we can provide to hardened hearts that think God has forsaken them. Those hurt by religion may not know about the unconditional love of Jesus until they see it through you. A man whose image of God is distorted by the poor example of an earthly father, may only learn the true Father Heart of God by his buddy’s Godly example of fatherhood on a daily basis. You leading a life for Christ is mission work.
A tired teacher worn out by state testing requirements and the lack of discipline given to children at home might miss the fact that she is in essence the only shining light of love a child may experience. She’s an Atypical Missionary helping save a life and mold a future.
How many of us save a friend from committing suicide by giving them a hug when they needed it the most? How many of us by handing a five dollar bill to the homeless man on the corner inspired him to reach out for help? How many of our small acts of everyday kindness can be multiplied in a pay-it-forward, ripple effect? How many of us are the hands and feet of Jesus without even realizing it?
You can be a missionary without traveling outside the country.
You can serve the church without being a deacon.
You don’t have to hold a particular title to be of service to the Lord.
You don’t have to be a preacher, pastor, or minister to share the word of God with others.
You can be an Atypical Missionary right where you are. You don’t have to wait for God to put you in the right place. Perhaps He already has. Perhaps you’re serving His kingdom purposes right this very moment, and you don’t even realize it.
We don’t have to wait, saying, “God, send me and I’ll go.” Instead we can say, “I’m here. Use me now.”
