Becoming...?

I Corinthians 9:22b  "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

As most of you know, Bill and I are in school to specifically learn how to become cross-cultural missionaries.  And yes, it is something you "become".  It is not something that comes naturally to most people, this being able to live and communicate in a culture you were NOT born into.  So how does one go about "becoming " something you're not, in order to communicate a message more effectively?

Believe it or not, "becoming" IS theological.  It's all about God using and changing us in order to take the Gospel, HIS good news, to those who have never heard.  What is that going to look like?  What are we going to need to let go of in order for that to happen within us?

Our identity affects the situation we're going into.  Language sounds, dress, customs, etc. all form our first identity.  Our second identity was formed when Christ saved us.  Our challenge then becomes, can we lay aside our first identity, in order to accurately communicate that second identity?

According to 1Cor. 9:19-23, laying aside certain aspects of our identity is something that MUST happen, in order for the Gospel to be effectively communicated.  There is a HUGE gap, or valley between those who have not heard the Gospel, and those who bring the Gospel.  It is OUR job to bridge that gap.  We must walk down into that valley, and up the other side to share that Gospel with those who have not heard.  It is not "their" job to bridge the gap.  We must "become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

But where does this motivation come from?  Why do missionaries do what they do?  Why leave home to go to a completely foreign land to share something with someone who may not ever care about what we're sharing?  ICor. 9:23 tells us why.  "Now this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."  We go because we are compelled by the Gospel, so that we can partake of that eternal life together.

But make no mistake, that drive can ONLY come from Christ.  When there are huge cultural barriers that we can't seem to cross, when we can't seem to learn a particular sound in their language that is crucial, when we are weak and tired from living in a climate we are not used to, when we come to our limit, we MUST tap into the limitless supply of all things pertaining to LIFE.  LIFE=CHRIST!!

That "becoming" is happening in us now.   It doesn't start when we get to the foreign field.  What things from our first identity are we needing to let go of now, in order to share the Gospel?  Stay tuned to read about what God is doing in us right now, as we train.  :-)

What do YOU need to let go of, in order to share the Gospel?