October is my favorite month next to December because of how eventful it is. For one, World Occupational Therapy Day is in October. Then we also celebrate Mental Health Day, Pastors’ Appreciation Month, and Reformation Day. But what I love the most about October is that it is Missions Month! You see, long before I developed a passion for occupational therapy, I was first passionate about missions. In fact, it’s because of missions that I became an occupational therapist (OT).
What is “Missions”?
When Evangelicals talk about missions, we frequently cite Matthew 28:19-20 as its Biblical basis. There are many other Bible verses that call us to participate in the Great Commission and teach us how to advance it. That’s why defining missions based on all these Biblical passages can be tricky. My definition of “missions” is a combination of what I learned at our local church, in the Kairos course as well as from Pastor Paul Washer’s sermons. As I understand it, missions is the proclamation of God’s glory and His Kingdom to the nations through Biblical teaching and church planting.
Charity work is typically a part of missions, but not all charity work is missions. Giving free goods and services to low-income groups can be a noble deed. But it is not missions without the preaching of the Gospel and other Biblical truths. Social action also goes hand-in-hand with missions. In fact, missionaries have been fighting injustices and advocating for equity even if it means that they might suffer and die for it! But despite the importance of social action, it still cannot be considered as missions if Christ-centered Biblical teaching is not its primary focus.
Many people are turned off from missions because the term conjures up images of fanatics forcing everyone to make a decision to follow Christ by reciting a prayer that will supposedly save them from hell. They are right to be concerned because such manipulation is unbiblical. In the first place, no one can make anyone decide to follow Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do that! Rather, missions involves telling people that God is the just King and Lord of all the earth. We have violated His laws by sinning and therefore deserve the penalty of eternal damnation. But He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf in order that we may be reconciled with Him (John 3:16-17).
When our relationship with God is restored through Jesus Christ, He gives us the grace that enables us to live according to the laws of the King of Kings. Every aspect of your being shall then be conformed to His will — from your work to your relationships to your hobbies.
Living in obedience to God undoubtedly brings suffering. Nevertheless, applying Biblical principles in everything that you do produces excellence. Consequently, nations that put them into practice become safer and more prosperous even if the predominant religion in the country is not Christianity. Every person, after all, has the capacity to conform with Christian morality to some degree because we are all created in God’s image. Moreover, many Biblical teachings are attractive to people of different worldviews because complying with them can improve one’s health, finances, and relationships. What sets genuine followers of Christ apart though is that the trajectories of their lives will be characterized by obedience to the Scriptures even WHEN it brings poverty and persecution.
A Childhood Dream
I was 7 years old when I first learned about missions through the musical album Kids Praise! 6: “Heart to Change the World”. At that time, I hadn’t understood the Gospel yet. But because I experienced living in a repressed foreign country, I was deeply moved by the album’s message about missions. I thought that many of the oppressed people in that country would find comfort and healing if they only knew that Jesus loves them. I also first learned the term “missionary doctor” in Kids Praise! 6, which then gave me the desire to become one.
Several months later, before my 8th birthday, I got a hold of a movie about Jesus that missionaries frequently use for evangelism. Through the movie’s faithful preaching of the Gospel according to Luke, I trusted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of my life. I then became more convinced that I should become a missionary doctor! To pursue this dream, I decided to take up occupational therapy as my pre-med course. I realized later on that it would be better for me to become an OT instead of a physician given my strengths and interests as well as the financial resources of my family.
Lord, Give Me This Mountain!
Occupational therapy has indeed been a great career. Nevertheless, it’s also like any job that has its own daily grind and hazards. I experienced these intensely when I served as a frontliner during the COVID-19 crisis. By the end of the pandemic, I was exhausted and disillusioned. I often entertained thoughts of leaving occupational therapy for something easier. I also felt like cutting people off by fleeing to some faraway land where no one would know me. I actually could, you know, because I had offers to work overseas (I still do).
Thank God I didn’t do anything stupid! He sent missionaries and missions mobilizers to remind me that despite the difficulties, there is nothing more fulfilling than serving the Lord where He wants us to be. Caleb’s prayer in Joshua 14:12-15 then became my heart’s desire: “Lord, give me this mountain!” The mountain refers to the new adventures in occupational therapy that await me for as long as God wants me to be here.
If you’re a fellow Christian, you must be asking yourself, “How does this apply to me? Am I supposed to become a missionary? Why should I support one if they’re always out to get our money?” Let’s talk about that in the next article!
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