Rarely do I use this blog as a religious platform. But, I've been sick for two days and have had time to think. As one thought led to another, I found myself back in my hometown's Costco parking lot. It was the Christmas season and my mother and I saw a man from church. He asked me if I was still teaching overseas and if I was still enjoying it. "Yes," I replied, "And I am enjoying it very much." He smiled, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Well keep doing the Lord's work."
I did not correct him and say, "But I'm not a missionary teacher! I teach privileged children, children of diplomats, business men, aide workers. I teach children whose concept of family is a driver and a nanny who wait on their every whim. These are not the children of missionaries." No, I did not say that. I said, "I will." and walked away.
My mother turned to me and said, "Are you a missionary?" Do I raise funds? No. Do I travel for enjoyment? Yes. In the literal sense, I am not a missionary. But, in the Biblical sense, I am. I live in the world, but I am not of it. I respect and support the literal missionary, but may I remind my Christ following friends, that we are all called to the world. Turning into a Christian chrysalis is not as beneficial as becoming the butterfly.
I did not correct him and say, "But I'm not a missionary teacher! I teach privileged children, children of diplomats, business men, aide workers. I teach children whose concept of family is a driver and a nanny who wait on their every whim. These are not the children of missionaries." No, I did not say that. I said, "I will." and walked away.
My mother turned to me and said, "Are you a missionary?" Do I raise funds? No. Do I travel for enjoyment? Yes. In the literal sense, I am not a missionary. But, in the Biblical sense, I am. I live in the world, but I am not of it. I respect and support the literal missionary, but may I remind my Christ following friends, that we are all called to the world. Turning into a Christian chrysalis is not as beneficial as becoming the butterfly.
