A painting party is coming.
Painting walls and doorways, painting ledges and window sills, and scrubbing arms and hands is all soon to hit some short-term, mission-minded teens and their mom as they hop across oceans and continents.
There’s the running joke about the big painting projects that await short-term missionaries across the globe. It is like these projects are always saved for the young and agile youth who want the mission experience without all the scary stuff of the mission field. The mission map of God work holds many layers of jobs, discipling and faith. Painting a mission center is important work and can teach young minds many lessons on humility, work ethic and what is takes to be part of a team that wants to reach the masses for the Lord’s Kingdom.
God sometimes gives heavy work that seems quite tedious and boring, but we tend to miss the bigger picture in that He is working on the inside of us. As we paint and cause our backs to ache, He disciples our hearts and teaches us how to carry our works forward. We are working for Him and doing our very best at painting those walls knowing that in the long run we are building faith endurance and servant hearts. We are also freeing up the long-term missionaries so that they can concentrate on the long-term goals while delegating to us. We lift a burden for the sake of the kingdom.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
People may question why. Our work and conversations can flow from our attitudes and gladness. The Lord’s light will shine through us as we scrub paint from our finger nails and late day prayers over the many blessings that He pours down upon us.
As we throw ourselves into each task of labor and into the relationships we build, we see confidence in that painting a room and fellowship isn’t a waste of time but a calling to God that we serve. There will also be no missed opportunities in relational ministry and discipleship with those we encounter along the way. We will be glad as we lay our weary bones down in an unfamiliar bed and thank the Lord for each ache and pain. We will know that we serve the Lord well.
We will know that we serve the Lord well. Click To TweetPsalm 100:2
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs
We are looking forward to our first missions trip as a family. If you would like to read our updates, you can find more here.
I was told years ago that doing laundry or any other mundane thing is just as godly as leading someone to Christ if that is what Jesus wants you to be doing in that moment. All can be done to the glory of God.