Looking back at a secular career in retail and thirty years in missions with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Texas, I asked myself: Why did I really  become a missionary?

Was it because of business downsizing, or because I wanted to look holy to my friends? Was it because I wanted to work for God and do something for him?

I know now that my motive for joining a mission agency was self-centered, not God centered. I saw it as a way for me to accomplish something for God. However, I have learned this is the wrong mindset.

Why should you become a missionary? 

It should be about giving God permission to live out His power and will through me, not me doing Him a favor. It should be resting—abiding in Christ Jesus—rather than striving on our own with Christian values in mind.

Recently, I read a story in a book from the Freedom In Christ Ministry. It seems that a man was asleep in his cabin when he felt the Lord saying, “I want you to push as hard as you can on a large rock outside your front door.”

For many years he toiled day after day, pushing on the rock. He became tired and bruised, wanting to give up. As the temptation grew, Satan asked him, “Why kill yourself over this.”

The man considered this and asked, “Lord, I have worked for years and the rock has never moved an inch. What is wrong, why am I failing?”

The Lord answered, “All of these years I have asked you to push on the rock, never once did I say I expected you to move the rock. You have not failed. Look at yourself with strong muscled arms, legs and chest. I will move the rock!”

Over the years I have learned to just push on the rock. The Rock of Ages will do the missions and ministry through His Holy Spirit. God is always faithful. I just need to “keep on keeping on.” He will do the rest.

“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.” Psalms 119:90

Do you feel God is calling you to become a missionary, to answer a need of fulfillment or purpose? Check out MissionNext.org to see what God may be doing in your life.