The missional life isn’t something we do, it’s an expression of who we are in Christ. It’s more than an event or project, it is living in the overflow of God’s amazing grace.
Thirty-one years ago, I was 15 years old, getting ready for my first short-term mission’s trip. I always feel nostalgic when I think back on this trip, because it changed everything for me and when I returned after that summer away in 1988, I was wrecked.
Wrecked.
Why, you ask?
That summer of 1988, on the top of the mountain in Trinidad, I met God. I mean, he became really real. That was the summer my faith moved from my head and took deep root in my soul. Because once you see God, you can’t un-see him.
It was that summer, that experience, that forever changed the way I live, because, when you meet face to face with Daddy-God, everything changes. Life transformation, healing, and restoration, all happen in the presence of God—and He changes the way we see.
Re-entry to “regular” life was bumpy. I was young, inexperienced, and didn’t know how to manage my soul with the injustice of poverty. The North American way of life, felt spoiled and entitled and I made me sick. Actually, it made me angry.
I’m thankful for my parents and some great mentors, who helped guide me back. But, still, the whole experience opened my eyes to see something I had never seen before. I began to see people—really see them—like Jesus sees them.
Missional living is organic and it is produced in the overflow of God’s amazing grace. It sees from Heaven’s perspective, locking eyes with the unseen. The missional life doesn’t turn away, because God doesn’t turn away.
Seeing the Unseen
Jesus saw the unseen. And even more than seeing, he loved them. He made it a practice to live among the lost, the broken, and the marginalized, because that’s who he came for, and, he did so unapologetically.
“And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:11-13
Here’s the thing, we actually all fall into that category. Every single one of us, need Jesus. He came to call us out of our brokenness into wholeness—that’s the message of the Gospel. It is through Jesus that we find salvation and healing. Ultimately, we are all the same–our stuff just looks different.
Being surrounded by tremendous diversity, is both beautiful and messy. What I mean is, it can be difficult trying to wade through conflicting beliefs and world views. People who live lives based on different values and beliefs can feel difficult to connect to. After all, what do we have in common to discuss and relate? That question right there stirs up a fear that often drives us away from the very thing God has called us to do. And so, we gravitate toward like-minded people.
It’s easier to love people we agree with, but the fact of the matter is God has commanded us to love everyone. That’s hard, but it’s totally doable. It just takes practice. Loving the unlovely, starts by seeing the unseen, and remembering that from another angel we too are unlovely and unseen. This is the missional life.
The missional life is motivated by the love of God
“You cannot love too much.”—Amy Carmichael
When we endeavor to live the missional life, we must resist the urge to respond out of sympathy. Sympathy and pity are poor motivators and will ultimately dry up. Why? Because there is a cyclical and repetitive rhythm to the missional life. Love needs to be dispensed graciously, extravagantly, and continuously—and when we try to do that from a base of sympathy and pity, we will fall short and actually, we may even get in the way of what God really wants to do.
“We love each other because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
Until we realize our own need for God—and I’m talking about stripping away all ideas of self-sufficiency and ego—we will not be able to love others. So, in terms of the missional life, it starts by surrendering to God. We must become disciplined to the process of practicing his presence, going to the deep places of grace, and confession. It is critical that we allow the spirit of God to lead us into breakthrough and healing, so that those who follow can also experience wholeness.
“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.” Hebrews 12:12-13
This verse exhorts us, as Christian disciples, to press in—even when its hard—because our breakthrough leads others into their breakthrough. When we pursue God, his love changes us from the inside out, transforming our mind and our perspective. You cannot see God and not be wrecked by his grace. Intimacy with the Father is the fuel for the missional life.
Nothing is wasted in the missional life
When we love generously, we love without condition or expectation. Yeah, that’s hard, right? That’s why we need the love of God to baptize us first. But learning to let go of expectations and conditions is necessary.
So, let’s break that down a little more. When we lean into the missional life, we often start with passion and enthusiasm. We see the problem and immediately go to work to problem solve it. Here’s the thing, that approach attempts to lead others to wholeness by working from the outside to the inside, which contradicts the gospel. We cannot save ourselves by cleaning up our stuff—that’s the whole point of the cross.
Now, I know there are felt needs that require attention, but we must remember the first point: You cannot love too much. Remember, the long game, and understand that the missional life is not a series of isolated events, it’s the practice of loving one another. And, we all work together in the process.
Seed planting
A couple of years ago, my husband, Ryan and I were in Guatemala. We, along with our team, went to visit a home for children. While we spent time hearing from the directors about the ministry and work they did, we had to opportunity to visit with the children. That’s where we met Teresa.
Teresa was tiny for her age. Honestly, I can’t remember how old she was, but she seemed younger than she was. She had no words and most of the time her facial expression was blank and distant. She had experienced unthinkable rejection and abuse, and the walls of self-protection were fully erected.
Our connection, at best, felt pointless. There was no way rescue her and certainly no way to affect any solution to her situation (Guatemala closed its doors to international adoption years ago), yet we couldn’t help but fall in love.
Ryan held Teresa, while we talked, smiled, and played with her—for hours. She was completely unresponsive for a long time, and then wonder of wonders she began to giggle as he lifted her up. Soon she was looking into his eyes and smiling back. As the afternoon wore on, she began to lean into his loving arms, placing her arm around his neck. Our friend, who had worked in this home for a time, was astounded. He told us that he had never seen Teresa respond like that.
If I could have, I would have taken her home with me, but it was not an option. We had to leave her. I doubt I will ever see her again during this life, but I pray for her salvation and for her healing.
“The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” 1 Corinthians 3:8
Nothing is wasted when we listen to the voice of God. He uses all our contributions of love to draw the hearts of people. When we live the missional life, we just give what we have and let God do the work.
The missional life walks by faith
“Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life—gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring…We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.” 1 Oswald Chambers
The missional life is not an event or program; it’s organic. It’s Spirit-led and everything about what we do is empowered and provided for, by God. We must not reduce his mission to what we can do, because we are not enough.
Soup kitchens, shelters, recovery groups are all extremely important and necessary, but we must press in closer than just the task, because the missional life is about connecting people with God so that through Him they might find healing and wholeness through salvation. We must learn to see the unseen, just as the Father does.
Walking by faith can feel unnerving. I mean, it sounds good and right, but actually doing it is another whole story. We must learn to trust the LORD, because he really is that good and that awesome. Self-sufficiency always leads away from the fullness of God.
Jesus is the reason we have access to God and all the stores of his amazing abundance. Access to the resources of God come through intimacy with him. As we abide, he provides.
“For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20
If you want to live the missional life, you must discipline yourself to live by the Spirit and walk by faith. Practice the presence of God and press in deep, like Moses did, to learn the ways of His heart. (Exodus 33:12-23).
The precipice of grace
I used to beg God to give me the whole picture, because to see it all would afford me ample opportunity to plan and prepare. His answer was always: No.
I believe, God’s refusal to let me see everything all at once was (and still is) a deliberate demonstration of love designed to draw me close. Faith has taught me how to lean in and trained my heart to see and hear his voice.
Fear is a terrible leader, because it motivates us to pray and act in ways contrary to God’s plans and purposes—even when those things seem to be good and holy. Because God answered my prayer with a no, I’ve learned how to trust him more completely.
Self-sufficiency feels safer, but robs us of our inheritance—if you doubt this, then read the account of Israel when they decided to turn back from the promised land. A whole generation died in the wilderness because they were afraid to believe God, who had always been faithful.
God invites us to come and know his heart. It is this place of abiding that brings transformation to the soul, from the inside out. What you see in the presence of God cannot be unseen—an amazing taste of his glory—and it stirs up a hunger for more. God’s love drives us to press into the hard.
Healing and wholeness testify and inspire hope. This is what we carry into the missional life. All the stuff we do is fueled by what God does in the throne room. The precipice of grace is what enables us to live the missional life, seeing the unseen, empowered and led by God.