Never the Same Again

There’s a Spanish saying, “He who leaves never comes back, even if he returns.” Let's think about this in the light of missions and missionaries. How has your journey changed you? Why are you different?

Another Spanish saying is: “I didn’t change. I only learned, and learning isn’t changing. It’s growing.”

I’d like to spend a little bit of time challenging you to use your missionary journey—whatever stage you’re in—for learning and growing.

Sometimes, the journey can just feel like necessary tediousness.

Deputation is one church after another, travel, tiredness, trying to keep the kids clean and appropriately dressed—while you try to do the same. Deputation can feel long and unending, and we all have our horror stories. Sometimes, missionaries feel like itinerant beggars while trying to raise support. They might have lost the learning and growing in this stage of the journey.

Newbies arrive with stars in their eyes. “We’re finally here,” they say as they unpack, take hundreds of pictures, and begin to learn the fine art of driving, shopping, and figuring out how to do the basics. The stars quickly dim as language learning begins and people stare and them and simply won’t listen. If you’re in the dimmed-eyes stage, you might be missing out on the learning and growing.

Second termers are excited about a new church plant, and they are gung ho. The church is prospering, and God is good. Then comes the criticism. Jealous missionary brethren attack. Co-workers betray. People they’ve led to the Lord turn their backs on them—and seemingly, on God. Disappointment in people can totally blind these missionaries to learning and growing.

Veteran missionaries might find themselves in a rut. Day after day, they strive to be faithful, to be a light in a dark place—the place they call home. They know by this time what works and doesn’t. They understand the field so well they’ve become one with it. They need spiritual and mental refreshment and don’t even realize it. They may have quit learning and growing.

What will help us learn and grow? There is only one answer. We absolutely positively need personal time with God. There are three elements that will help us learn and grow:

1. Worship—Worship is adoration of God. It is praise and positive prayer. There are many ways to achieve private worship. Let me suggest just a few: study the biblical names of God, and praise Him for Who He reveals Himself to be. Sing an old hymn to the Lord. They are packed with doctrine! You can’t sing “Crown Him with Many Crowns” without ending up in adoration. Read the Psalms. Most of them are full of praise—even after laying out a very sad case. But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more (Psalm 71:14). Study God’s attributes and thank Him for them. Worship is all about God and Who He is.
2. Prayer—I recommend prayer before Bible reading, simply because it works for me to talk to the Lord, ask Him to open His Word to my understanding, and tell Him all the things I want to before I focus on the Bible. I believe in total transparency with God in prayer. If we are to cultivate a true relationship with Him, we need to be honest. Tell Him your concerns, gripes, sadness—and your joys, victories, and gladness. Be open. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8). And, after you talk, listen. A lot of times, we women do a lot of talking and not much listening. It’s especially important after praying to see what God has to say to us. Speak; for thy servant heareth (from 1 Samuel 3:10). Then, open your Bible.
3. Bible reading and study. The Bible is the only living book. There just isn’t another that actually ministers to the reader. None other is inspired by God and applied by the Holy Spirit. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). I remember years ago that I had a very negative experience. I couldn’t seem to shake it. It occupied my thoughts, and I was extremely hurt. I prayed, and those thoughts continued to swirl around. I felt bruised. But then, I almost had to laugh because, no matter where I turned in the Bible for the next week or two, verses popped out to me. All were on the same theme: that God would take care of it. They were also specific to the need. They were exactly the guidance I needed. Was this a coincidence? I don’t believe it for a minute! When I have sought His Word in moments of crisis, this has always happened. God’s word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). He actually speaks to us through His Word!

Do you want to learn and grow?

• Accept all of your missionary experiences along the way as lessons.
• Worship the Lord for Who He is and keep your eyes on Him, not on people.
• Talk to God about everything—the good, bad, and ugly. Listen for His response. (Many times, He will bring to mind a Scripture.)
• Open your Bible and get tutoring from God Himself. Study your Bible. Know it. Keep learning from Him. Apply what you learn to your daily life.

Learn and grow.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,

unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine, 
by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, 

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,

which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:13-15).

God bless you!

by Lou Ann Keiser, in Basque Spain for more than 34 years