AIM

When I was thirteen years old God clearly called me to be a missionary to Honduras. When I committed myself to that call I closed the door to a lot of other options. I finished high school and went on to Bible college focused on fulfilling the missionary call. But as I got closer and closer to my departure there were more and more offers and opportunities that were sent my way. There was even an opportunity to serve on a different mission field. But the call had been so clear that for me to take anything else would seem like a betrayal. God had called me first and that's all that mattered. To anyone who feels called to missions please beware of the "traps" that get thrown on your path. It's easy to get detoured and derailed with ministry offers but don't forget that even good intentions, and ministry itself can lead you to disobedience. Obey God's missionary call on your life! Go where He wants you to go!

 

 Detours That Get In the Way

 by

 Eric Kuhns

 I heard God's voice the other day, say "come with me

get on a plane and go across the sea

where the harvest is great and souls are dying

they need to hear about God's love, they are lost and crying."

I wanted to go, I really did

the desire was strong it could not be hid

the call was fervent like a burning fire

to go save the lost, the need was dire.

As I made plans to go, a thought came to me

why not go back to school and get a degree?

I already had a diploma and was ready to go

but why not get more experience? Who would it hurt? Who would know?

Now I have three degrees and I think that I'm fit

to get on that plane and go serve a bit

but just as I was packing and getting ready to fly

I got a phone call that brought a tear to my eye.

It was one of my professors from my beloved Alma mater

saying that the school was in trouble, in really hot water

There was a shortage of teachers and they didn't know what to do

"Could you delay going to the field? The school really needs you."

Well, I like to help out whenever I can

so I decided to stick around and lend a hand.

Ten years have now passed and my teaching is done

It's time to get on that plane and fly off into the sun.

But again as I was packing and readying my bag

I got another phone call that made my heart sag.

It was a leader from my conference sounding quite perplexed

he had a church without a pastor and maybe I would be next

to go fill this slot and help this poor congregation

they too need to hear about God and his salvation.

So I postponed my flight and answered this call

I felt I had every right, it was ministry after all.

My tenure as pastor is finally complete

I need to get to the field, I need to get on my feet.

But my family has grown and so has my debt

I feel kinda strapped like I'm in a big net.

I had better not go, I'm not ready to serve

I gotta find a job to get around this financial curve.

I'll work in construction or drive a big truck

But these debts won't get me down, they won't keep me stuck

I'll eventually go and get to the field

I'll win lots of souls and produce a big yield.

God please understand I'm not trying to disobey

these are just life's detours that get in the way.

Now my debts are paid and my work is through

It's time to go do what I'm supposed to do

But before I go I just have one more desire

to get a plan in place for when I retire.

I need some money saved up, a house, a car

to give me peace while I live away so far.

So I'll get a better job and work on my IRA

and help support missionaries and pastors with my abundant pay.

Time has flown by and now my life is all set

I had better go, I had better get

But you know, I don't feel like it's God's will like I did before

When I heard his voice, when I knew for sure.

Now the call is gone, I had better stay

send someone else, I will give and I will pray.

Matthew 21:28-31

²⁸ But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
²⁹ He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
³⁰ And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
³¹ Whether of them twain did the will of his father?...