I Am an "M" ::

We are called to be Christ's ambassadors in places that are often difficult. I live with my family in a country where it is illegal to be a missionary - where I am forbidden to proselytize. Sure, my phone is tapped and my family lives under the pressure of knowing we are often being watched. I also long for a cup of Tim Hortons and to see my kids play street hockey with the kids next door. These are normal desires of a Canadian coffee-loving parent. But ultimately these conditions do not define who I am or my direction through life. These conditions are annoying at best, but they don't challenge my identity because it is not packaged in whether or not I lead a congregation or run evangelistic rallies or am called Pastor _____. I am hidden in Christ. Besides, I am not here to do. I am on earth to be. He is the Light of the world and He lives in me. We have been instructed to let that Light shine. It's about being who He wants me to be wherever He places me.

This theoretical value is tested daily for the restricted access nation M. In my day-to-day life - when I am not writing articles like this one - I am a Canadian doing business in a country where missionaries are not allowed. We live for the moments when people ask for a "reason for the hope that [we] have" so we can give the answer (1 Peter 3:15). These opportunities come when it is obvious to people that we commune with the sovereign, divine God. After many months of relationship building, one of my clients here asked me, "Everyone here is trying to move to Canada. Why did you give up the life you had to come here?" I took a gulp as I prayed for divine wisdom. "You know that I believe in God, and that I believe I have a relationship with Him. Well, He brought me here." That client is now a Christian and is leading friends to our Friend.

A leader of a local underground church once asked me, "Why are you here? What is your ministry? What are you passionate about?" The response I gave nearly embarrassed me. It wasn't dynamic or radical. It didn't measure up to my own assumptions of what a missionary's response should be. I said, "I am passionate about obedience and about people serving Christ by offering what they have." Over the years I have come to declare this with greater boldness. I want to be consumed less with being a missionary and more with being someone who walks with Christ. I want those around me to sense that they have been with someone who "hangs out" with the Almighty. I am also passionate about seeing our young leaders rise up with a realization that God wants every part of us. Not just the "religious" or "churchy" bits.

What would our world be like if Christians in all walks of life took advantage of the full relationship offered in Christ and realized that the Great Commission was spoken to them?