Quotes motivate us. We tend to listen more closely to the advice of role-models, leaders, and world-changers. Language has power, and people hunger to hear deep, well-expressed truths about the world. Personal testimony from a friend or peer is powerful, but how much more inspirational is it to hear about missions from some of the most important people in history? Here are five quotes that will change the way you view missions and maybe even inspire you to do your own DTS!
Billy Graham was one of the greatest evangelists to ever live, and one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. This quote mirrors the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15:3-7. In missions, sometimes we forget that it's not always about the masses, it's about the one who is willing to give themselves into the arms of the father. Our contributions might seem small, but it could mean the entire world to the people we reach.
Hudson Taylor was one of the first missionaries to China and the founder of the China Inland Mission, which directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions. Taylor faced numerous hardships, but he always relied on God to provide what he needed to continue his work.
There's two main questions we have when God asks us to do something: first we ask, "What do you want me to do?" and then we ask, "How do we do it?" Sometimes we spend so much time worrying about the "how", we don't remember to trust that God is in control. He created the universe, and He can provide for your current and future needs on the mission field.
God has placed unique passions, gifts and talents in each of us. God didn't give these to us at random -- He gave them to us so we can fulfill our role in carrying out the Great Commission. So what corner of the world is He calling you to? Will your passion for hiking lead you to reaching tribes in the mountains of Nepal? Will your knowledge of politics lead you to bringing light to your local or national government? There is no talent God won't use for spreading the gospel, and there is no area of society that could not be considered a mission field.
This is a reference to the parable found in Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." All the things the man has ever owned are dust in comparison to the treasure that is the kingdom of heaven. It is greater than any of the temporary things of this Earth, including fame and fortune, and worth pursuing even if we have to lay down our lives or put them on hold.
When you follow God, you embark on the greatest adventure you could ever commit to. It's an adventure where you walk by faith and not by sight, and where you believe for things greater than any human hand could provide. It's an adventure where your greatest call is to love unconditionally, to walk in places where others don't dare tread, and to do all these things simply because God asked us to. Are you willing to live out an adventure like this? Are you willing to try?
I hope these quotes have inspired you as much as they inspired me. If you would like more information on how to join missions and do a YWAM DTS, please click the link below. Your adventure could start here!