Where is Your Mission Field?

When you hear the phrase "mission field" what do you think of? China, India, Mexico.......a different country besides the USA maybe? I have been guilty of the same thinking. At the beginning of this year, I started praying about what direction God was leading me this summer. I desired that He use me somehow within the ministry. I wanted to be poured out this summer for His honor and glory. What suprised me was that God did not lead me where I thought He would have. I am not going to another country to serve in Jesus' name, I am not on a summer camp staff....I'm actually doing an ordinary job. Even though it was not where I thought I would be, God clearly directed me to: a hospital. A hospital? "But God," I prayed, "I'm going to have many opportunities to work in a hospital after I graduate. Shouldn't I be involved in a ministry this summer? I have such a heart for missions and serving others." I was more or less disappointed. I am ashamed to say it, but this was my thinking a few weeks ago. Don't get me wrong. I was excited about the opportunity to work as a student nurse. Yet, I felt as if I was missing out on being used by God this summer. I wanted to be on the mission field. I wanted to be poured out for His honor and glory. I wanted to make a difference this summer. And what has God taught me? Something amazing.

I am privileged to be employed at a hospital where it is still acceptable to pray and share about the Lord. Each morning at 8:00, the chaplain brings a devotion which is heard all over the hospital. My coworkers will even stop what they are doing and agree in prayer with the chaplain. It's amazing to see. Above each bathroom door in each room of the hospital, a specific verse is found. That is perhaps my favorite thing to do when I enter into a patient's room. I love to see what portion of Scripture is on their wall. I feel that it is by no mistake what room they are placed within.

One morning, I followed one of the doctors as he made his morning rounds. We went from one room to the next until we came to the last room on his list. This particular patient was not one of my assigned patients, so I did not know her story. I was shocked to hear the doctor's words as he proceeded to present her with the diagnosis of cancer. My heart ached for her. Once the words "cancer" and "malignant" came out of his mouth, I looked above her door to see what verse was posted. And the beautiful words of Romans 15:13 fell upon my eyes.



Romans 15:13:"I pray that God, the Source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident
hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

"Oh yes, Lord," I prayed to myself. "We are never left without hope. Thank you, Jesus. May you fill them hope."


As the doctor continued speaking with her, I desperately wanted to wrap my arms around her. I wanted to pray for her and pray that she might have hope...even in a cancer diagnosis. I wanted to encourage her precious family members who were at her bedside. I wanted them to know that Jesus was still in control no matter what. I do not know if they were believers, and I was never able to find out. But, I did not forget to pray for them. I prayed that they might come to know the Lord if they did not already. I also prayed that they might look upon the wall and see those words from our Almighty God.


It was after that experience that I felt...no, I knew....I'm on the mission field. God has placed me in this hospital, "for such a time as this." Even though I was not able to directly minister to that specific family, I am praying for opportunities in the weeks to come.

Wherever we are: school, work, church, grocery shopping, carpooling, caught in traffic jams, cleaning.....we are tools for the ministry. Isn't that humbling? God desires to use us...even in everyday living. Yes, going to a another country on the mission field is such a blessing. That is not to be lessened. What God has been impressing upon me is that instead of wishing I was "on the mission field," I should start living "on the mission field."


On Sunday night, I had the opportunity of hearing some members of the youth group speak about their mission trip to Mexico this past March. My cousin, Christian, gave a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness and some challenges that he gave to the others while on their trip. He quoted the verse 13 out of Matthew 5, which states: "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Verse 16 states: "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."


Is it not humbling that God can, will, and chooses to use His children no matter where they may be? Not only is it humbling, but it is challenging. Do my actions reflect Christ? Am I willing to be used by Him? While traveling the road to my house, there is small church which always has quotes on its sign. Right now it reads, "Do they see Jesus in me?" Hmmm....can others tell there is something different in my life?

Whether you may be in China, South Africa, or a little 'ol town in Mississippi.......God can work through you. Will you allow Him to? We are living "on the mission field."

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'"

Mark 16: 15