For example: ms jamie, tbh, you are the most awesomest and funnest and bestest person in the world. (but, really....)
"tbh" translates into To Be Honest.
I read an article earlier this week about mission organizations that tend to stretch the truth, or not tell the full story of what they are really doing, and how hard it really is.
I have been thinking about that a lot over the last few days. Asking myself if I do a good job really "telling the story", or if I just tell the parts that I think people want to hear, or that make me feel good about myself.
So, "tbh", here is what being a missionary in Jackson, MS looks like.
Loving people when they are mean to you, when they steal from you, when they scream at you, when they throw things at you, when they spit at you, when they manipulate you, when they lie to you, when they disappoint you.
Constantly being asked for help. Whether it is for money, food, clothes, a ride, a bus ticket, or other random things.
Being interrupted all the time. In the middle of breakfast/lunch/dinner/middle of the night sleep, sitting down to rest, sitting on the toilet, washing dishes, spending time with Jesus or friends.
Answering phone calls or text messages when you really don't want to.
Never ending knocks on the door, or bedroom windows, all hours of the day and night.
Going places you would never have gone before. In a dark alley at night, in a store that is known for being robbed and dangerous, in a house full of drugs and demons, in a prison full of convicted felons, in a church full of religion.
Being consistent with your message. Not just talking about the fruits of the spirit, but actually using them.
love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, self-control.
Sharing your story again and again with those that come to serve. The church groups, the community service groups, the pastors, the countless others that just want to know what is going on. And getting blank stares or crazy questions.
Giving with no expectation of getting anything in return, other than more love from Jesus. God's love doesn't change. It is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. But when we give in his honor, we feel it more and more, the love that is already there. We get to climb deeper in his heart and experience what is there ready for us.
Dying to self, daily. Saying "yes" to Jesus, and "no" to the world. Giving up luxury for location, time for tears, fear for faith, and money for mercy.
It is hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Every missionary that serves in downtown Jackson has their own story of how they got there, what the Lord is teaching them and doing in their life, and other things that make it hard for them, but I would think we all can relate to these things above.
Even so....
tbh, it is the most rewarding, life-changing, honoring, humbling, and beautiful thing I have ever done.
Jesus said:
"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." John 14:12
"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you…For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink…when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:34-40
Saul became Paul, then he did what Jesus said.
Acts 3
"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
This is the greatest example of the what being the Hands and Feet of Jesus looks like. Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray, like they did every day. Then, someone interrupted them, asked them for something. That man was not expecting what he got in return - healing!
Peter and John were just doing what Jesus said to do.
If you are a Christian in Jackson, MS, then you should be doing the same thing Peter and John did. If you are a Christian in Anywhere, World - you should too.
I get the honor to live and love in Jackson, but I am to be a missionary wherever I am.
tbh, this is the reward.
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