Every Good and Perfect Gift

Especially given some of the negative and naive perceptions I once had about missions and missionaries, it seems kind of ironic that I’ve grown into quite a mission buff. Growing up, I didn’t know any missionaries, but always imagined them to be people who were just a little bit “different.” From my perspective–as one of three kids in a suburban station wagon kind of family–it always seemed a little bit crazy that there were people who traveled to the darkest corners of the earth to live among native tribes, largely untouched by the modern world, in an effort to compel them to Christianity and save their mortal souls. The way I figured things, missionaries didn’t live “among us,” and they certainly weren’t “like us.”

Growing up in the 1980s, I am not sure how much my thoughts were shaped by things like the PTL scandal that so unfairly blighted Christian ministries, or popular movies like Footloose where the antagonist was a headstrong preacher who handed out heavy doses of hellfire and brimstone. But even beyond missions and missionaries, the whole notion of evangelizing or even the candid sharing of faith just sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Sure, the goal of evangelists to help make us all better people was undoubtedly noble, but being “that kind of Christian” also seemed to mean making life a lot less fun.

To be fair, I should also tell you that I cannot recall a time when I was not surrounded by people putting good works into action. Whether by adopting families at Christmas, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, making casseroles and cakes when people were sick, and including shut-ins at holiday family gatherings, those opportunities to be good Christian servants were just a regular part of life at our house. Somehow, though, those opportunities to serve never struck me as “mission work” or opportunities to demonstrate God’s love as much as they just seemed like basic things good Southern families did.

It’s funny that the first person I recall ever decisively witnessing their faith to me was a friend from college, who, in a very casual yet enthusiastic way, over a breakfast at a diner one morning, relayed to me how God had carved a very distinct path in his life. Instead of relocating to start the cushy out-of-state job that he’d been seeking, he shared how blessed he was when things sort of “fell apart” just in the nick of time. About that same time, he began dating his wife and came to know Franklin Graham, who brought him on board at Samaritan’s Purse, where he has worked hard to help build and grow Operation Christmas Child. And while the story about God’s hand at work in his life was shared subtly, more as an update between old friends than to pointedly give a “shout out” to Jesus, it really made a significantly positive, strong and lasting impression on me. It also really began to change my thoughts about both the means and messengers of faith stories. I guess that sometimes it is all about planting seeds and trusting God to help them grow.

I think of that story fairly often, and love how he and his family are living a great example of mission in action and serving as God’s hands at work. Maybe because it took me so long to gain a realistic perspective about missions and a level of comfort with pointedly discussing faith issues, but I also find real significance in the fact that such a simple but memorable witness came from someone who has been called as a leader on the Operation Christmas Child team. The Christmas Child project is unique, largely because of the simple way that it plants such great seeds of hope and love, combining missions, families and fun while making a truly incredible difference in so many lives this special time of year. Honestly, short of packing it up and heading into the tribal jungles, I can’t think of a much more meaningful “every day” way to witness your faith while sharing the amazing power and truly global reach of God’s love than by going on a “Mission Trip” to the Dollar Store!

Aside from the fact that they put old shoe boxes to good use (which gives at least a little sense of purpose to my shoe habit…), Operation Christmas Child has literally answered prayers and spread the love and light of Jesus Christ from thousands of families like yours and mine to more than 61 million children suffering in the midst of famine, war, disease and poverty in more than 130 countries around the world. This very basic, but incredibly inspirational mission transcends countless barriers that otherwise seem impenetrable–like language, culture, geography and politics–while spreading joy and hope to children in need.

What may seem to many American kids like a box full of every day “boring stuff,” like toothbrushes, t-shirts, play-dough, candy, balloons and coloring books, is for many kids–like those I’ve met in Africa and Russia–the only substantial gift they have ever received. Digging deeper, though, this really is one of those gifts that “keeps on giving.” For the child and family in need, this is a shoebox steeped in prayers and hand delivered with the transforming message of God’s love.  But for the millions of people who pack shoe boxes each year–some of whom likely have the same ideas about mission work I once had–this ministry may literally open up the world of missions in a tangible and relevant way that allows God to meet them at just the right place in their faith journey. Isn’t it amazing how God can create miracles out of even the smallest opportunities!

As I over-stuff my own shoe boxes (which are all held together with extra rubber bands to keep them closed), I really hope you will also consider dedicating a couple of hours to pack a shoebox or two. From start to finish, this undertaking is quick, fun, inexpensive and so rewarding! Time is tight–national collection week for Operation Christmas Child is November 17-24 this year–but you can log on to www.samaritanspurse.org for all the details about getting a shoebox ready in time for delivery to a child who needs it.

As my perspectives have broadened and my faith has grown, I have come to realize this: the ability to do something small and trust that God will turn it into something much bigger is truly one of the great blessings of missions–and hopes of life. While you don’t have to be the missionary that saves a tribe or preaches to the masses, by accepting the call to dedicate a few hours, take a “mission” trip to Target, Wal-Mart or the Dollar Store, and pray with your family about how far God’s love might travel, you can profoundly impact a family in need, whose lives you will touch without ever meeting them face to face. It all really boils down to planting a seed of hope and letting God take over the harvest.

I hope that you and I will be among hundreds of thousands around the world who enjoy “walking the talk” this month by sharing a shoebox full of witness and wonder (and socks, stickers and toothpaste) that will surely provide blessings beyond measure and joy beyond our wildest imagination!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

All photos courtesy of Operation Christmas Child.