But after all, what's the good? We're not there: we're here. And we jolly well can't get there. Or can we?" (Jill Pole from C. S. Lewis, The Silver Chair)
Do you know what I've always wanted to do? Be a missionary. Do you know what I have always NOT wanted to do? Be a mobilizer. Be the person who is not there, but here, even though they'd most often jolly well rather be there! I've met a few people who lived overseas for a while and loved it, and God asked them to surrender their life overseas without ever surrendering their desire to see God at work in the whole world. I was (okay, still am) terrified that God would ask me to do this hard work.
So guess what my job is right now? I'm a mobilizer. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a goer planning on being in the Middle East soon, and hoping to be in missions my whole life.) But I've discovered that being obedient to God's directions for the gospel to be preached in the whole world means that I have to be willing to tell the people right beside me about that, not just the people on the other side of the world.
God has been challenging me to be daily investing in the growth of the kingdom by investing right where I am: having conversations with my closest friends about my heart for the nations. Asking them what it would be like to take the step of a short-term trip, or even tithing their career and going for two years (two of these friends are now goers!). Asking, asking, and asking that God would send workers into His harvest, and praying, praying, and praying for the people in my life to grow closer to God and know His heart.
I even think about my support meetings like this. My newsletters, my blog posts. When I tell my story at my church's youth group, I am doing that so that they can consider their own story. It takes work, and time, and investment, but it is so worth it to see others around me be totally transformed by the beautiful thing it is to know God's heart for the world.
So here's my challenge: if you're a previous Goer resuming your life back home, don't stop talking to your friends and those who supported you about what God did in you and through you, because your stories matter in their lives! If you're on the field right now or soon, remember that your updates and your meetings might serve a purpose way bigger than just your life.
And if you're thinking about missions for yourself or considering tithing your career, don't go it alone! I spent too many years keeping my excitement about missions a secret because I was afraid of judgment. But when I welcomed my friends into processing with me, and asked them to think about going themselves, God richly rewarded me.