But REALLY, what’s the point of being a missionary?

All of those things are great, but apart from God it's all just humanitarian aid. In the words of our contact Paul, "God is what makes missionaries different from the Peace Corp". [And don't get me wrong, the Peace Corp is doing GREAT stuff to help hurting people].

So, that being said, what is the point of being a missionary?

To bring God's glory to the ends of the earth. 

John Piper wrote in his book Desiring God, "Missions exist because worship doesn't." 

Ouch. So you mean missions doesn't exist for me to do good things so I feel better about myself? You even mean to say the primary purpose of missions ISN'T to save people?

Yep. That's exactly what that means. Missions exists primarily to bring God's glory, because WE exist solely to bring God glory.  While that is a hard truth to swallow, it is SO beautiful when you start to unpack in the context of God's character.

However, in God's grace and love, one of the ways we bring him glory IS by loving on people and by sharing his gospel for their salvation.  And what is super cool about this is that God doesn't expect us to save the world single handedly. In fact, he doesn't want us to even try. God created us for community and for dependence on Him. The way that plays out in his plan for salvation is through discipleship.

Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

What's super cool about this verse, other than that it's Christ's living words to all believers, is that in the Greek "Go and therefore" literally means "as you are going."  This means that discipleship isn't meant to be something you construct, something you plan out, or some model you have to follow. Discipleship is meant to be organic, and it means it can happen in a bunch of ways.

It can happen by making pancakes and breaking bread with people who don't have anything to eat.

Or, it can happen by sharing bible stories with little girls in their language.

Playing soccer with kids is yet another way to build relationships "as you are going".

Whatever you means you choose, sharing the gospel and Christ's truth is what is important.

And you know what's awesome? Every one of these things can be done in YOUR country, in YOUR city, in YOUR neighborhood. Being a missionary isn't reserved solely for overseas. Why? Because we are commanded (not suggested) to make disciples AS WE ARE GOING.

Does this require sacrificing our time? Yeah. Yeah it does. Does this require actually putting forth the effort to invest in others, even when they resist our attempts or reject our love? You better believe it.

But, as Paul so eloquently wrote, "Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal processions, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Cor. 2:14)

God isn't setting us up for failure. He desires that ALL shall be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but more importantly, that his glory spread everywhere.

Ultimately, we will never stay in the same place forever, spiritually or physically. God brings us through different seasons of life so that we may minister to different people. My team and I won't be in Guatemala forever (as the fleeting days keep reminding us), but the Guatemalan people will be. God has really pressed that upon my heart through my friend Carlos. God has blessed him with SUCH a joy and such a radiant smile while allowing him to live in such a dark and seemingly hopeless place.

This joy, when understood in the context of God's love and mercy for him, can be such a powerful force to the people who live and work with him in the dump.

It's not "the white man's burden" or "The Entitled American's Job" to do missions and make things better for "those less fortunate" than us. It is the job of EVERY believer, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or nationality, to make disciples of the people around them. That is why it is so important to pour into Carlos, and all the other people during our time in Guatemala, so that they can reach MORE people when we are gone.

So what's the point of being a missionary?
To bring God's glory to the nations.

How are we called to do that?
By making disciples, as we are living our lives.

So I'll ask you, who are YOU discipling for the Kingdom and for God's glory?