Lessons from the Mission Field: “Being Good Enough”

In a conversation last December, I explained how global missions are not my thing. I proceeded to give a long list of requirements it’d take for me to go. A few days later, unbeknownst to my friend and me, our church announced a trip that checked all the boxes.

I knew it was from God…yet part of me was terrified of not having the right qualifications.

I submitted the application within days…and for far too long I mentally prepared for some sort of rejection letter.

There were many factors that could have kept me from this trip. Being “good enough” was one of them. And miraculously, by the time our group met for the first time, the work and focus of the trip changed to better fit my skillset. 

Each day of the mission trip,  I had all the confirmation I needed as I saw lives changed through what I got to do. As it turned out, I was a perfect fit for the work God called our team to do. God hand-picked me to serve in this city, to do the very tasks I ended up doing.

If I needed any further validation, one of the local pastors expressed multiple times how I was perfect for this trip. She saw me make connections with kids at VBS and at our outreach sites. She heard my story and we spoke of my strengths…some of which are:

• I was the only one fluent in English and Spanish in the group. While locals volunteered to translate, I did a lot to help form connections with the kids and our team members. As difficult as language learning is, it shows intentionality. People appreciate it when you meet them where they’re at, especially in language and culture. Being aware of and respecting dialects is a part of that.
• I’m a teacher. I stepped in at any station, wherever needed, on any given day. While most of my work remained in arts and crafts, I got to teach the Bible and help with games.
• I’m an encourager, and I love to step in where needed (or where the Lord leads) to help or speak life. I love prayer and got to pray over some wonderful people.
• While I’m heat sensitive, I enjoy gardening and can do a good job with it. (It was also hard after a full day…but I did my best.)

By the time we embarked on this journey, I forgot about that insecurity I had leading up to the trip. All I knew is that I belonged on that team. That God had a greater plan and I got to be a part of it.

Steps of obedience are about our faith, not about us being “good enough.” Our “yes” to God is what matters. He’ll take care of the rest.

If you’re feeling unqualified today, remember this: God works perfectly through our imperfections.

Paul puts it best in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. 
For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In our weaknesses and insecurities, God’s strength shines through us. He does the work we aren’t able to do on our own. And where we are strong? It’s even further evidence of God’s grace and gifts at work.

In all that we do, it’s never about our ability. It’s about our availability. Will we allow God to use us? Will we follow God where He leads us? Will we trust Him, even if the plan doesn’t make sense or if we don’t see the full picture?