Motives are very important.
In fact, they are the driving force behind most of what we do in life. Examining them and dealing with them honestly are a major factor in our self-understanding and preparation for service.
So what are your motives? Why do you want to be a missionary?
Be sure to consider both your religious and nonreligious motives for going as a missionary.
Non-Religious Motives
If we are honest, we will admit that all of us have mixed motives. Nonreligious motives contribute to the decision to go on a mission. This is not necessarily bad. It is normal human nature.
Non-Religious Motives Many Missionaries Have Had:
Desire to travel
Boredom—want some adventure
A break from school or work
Curiosity or desire to experience other cultures
Desire to learn a language
Career or job considerations
Family tradition
Decision or wish of a parent, friend, or spouse
Recruited/sold on the idea
Escape from a difficult situation
Four Religious Motives
In addition to these non-religious reasons, however, the Bible does give some directly religious motives for mission.
Love for Christ
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul says that the love of Christ is what compelled him to go.
And when Jesus set His own disciples apart for service, He first called them to Himself (Mark 3:13) after they had come to Him, then He sent them out on their mission.
Coming to Christ first and being filled with His love becomes our greatest motive for going out in service.
The need of people
Matthew 9:37, 38 says that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
This is still true today.
Even today over two billion people in the world can only be reached by the gospel if someone is willing to cross cultural boundaries to teach them.
At the same time, less than 15 percent of Christian workers focus on this group of people without Christ. The song is right, “People Need the Lord.”
The commands of Jesus
“If you love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said in John 15:15.
When we hear this, many of us think first of all of the Ten Commandments.
That’s okay, but are those the only commandments Jesus could have meant?
What about the “commandment” to mission in the Great Commission? And what about the “great commandment” to love one another?
If we truly love our brothers and sisters around the world, we will want to share the Good News of salvation with them, won’t we?
Mission plays a crucial part in saving people
Our going out really does make a difference in people’s lives.
“Hearing” helps bring people to salvation (Romans 1:14, 15) as well as giving them a “more abundant life” in the here and now (John 10:10).
God sometimes saves people without our help, but His basic plan calls for our cooperation.
Your Turn
Do you thin it is important to pay attention to our motives? If yes, why?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.