Practicing Missional Presence

In his 1948 book, The Seven Storey Mountain: An Autobiography of Faith, author Thomas Merton recounts a conversation with a Hindu man who was living a monastic lifestyle. The Hindu discussed the minimal impact of Christian missionaries in that region. There were many reasons, but Merton recounts one particular reason, “The Hindus are not looking for us to send men who would build schools and hospitals, although these were badly needed at the time and were very useful. The Hindu continued; the locals want to know if you have any “saints” that you can send us!” (p. 197). Keep in mind the context is 1948, however, there is something about that statement that draws us into reflection about being Jesus in a COVID world.

The Hindu’s question is really a question that speaks to the real priority of the call of God. Engaging in our world begins not with activity, but with a life in God. A deeply formed missional life is first about who we are becoming before what we are doing. Let’s face the truth, a vaccine is not going to cure hatred, racial prejudice, and sin. 

Currently 50% of faith leaders find it difficult to have a devotional life. Only 21% of faith leaders are satisfied with the time they spend on themselves. 52% of faith leaders practice weekly solitude. 55% of faith leaders read their bible weekly including sermon preparation. The Psalmist 27:4 (ESV) states; One thing of the Lord I have asked, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. There are two key terms to examine.

• GAZE – This term occurs 51x in the Old Testament. The primary meaning of the word is to fix your line of sight upon God and also to attune your ears to the prophecy regarding God.
• INQUIRE – This term occurs only 7x in the Old Testament. The dominate aspect of this term is diligently go after understanding and comprehension of God.

Spiritual and intellectual formation are tied together in the Psalmists words. Being precedes doing! Our world is upside down in ways that we could not have imagined 24-months ago. We are very distracted and disengaged currently. We need only look at the disciples in John 20. Christ was crucified and the disciples had failed. Despondent and discouraged, Jesus showed up and showed them his hands and side and stated; “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me even so I am sending you. And when He had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit…..” Instead of Jesus pointing out their mistakes, He instead sends them on a mission. 

The words of the Hindu in 1948 ring true today, “Do you have any saints that you can send to us?” Our COVID world is not looking for a program to attend, they are searching for someone who can connect them to the spiritual longing of their heart and a Jesus they seek!