AP

As a retired missionary, some young people recently asked: “What advice do you have for a new recruit?”

They were healthy and well-educated, with an admirable stock of ideas, skills and enthusiasm, an asset to many teams. But these qualities are not enough. How would they cope far from home, in difficult environments, with excessive demands they can’t control; facing discrimination, conflicts, fears, and failures? These struggles take out many capable people.

Under Australian work, health and safety (WHS) laws, we expect companies to look after their workers regarding both physical safety and mental well-being. But many mission stations cannot provide like this. Leaders are often stretched to their limits to do their own jobs, let alone care for team members. I reflected on my own experiences of being let down by those I counted on and, unfortunately, sometimes disappointing others.

Considering this, my advice was, “Become a low-maintenance Christian.”

That means someone with little dependence on others to function well. It’s made possible by fostering a strong reliance on the Lord, finding Him to be our tower of refuge, fountain of wisdom, and storehouse of strength.

Here are some ideas with personal examples to become a low-maintenance Christian, with the acronym L-I-F-T.

L: Lose your self-focus: Self-centeredness is our huge enemy. Recognise that ugly side of us, that pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and laziness, to mention a few. Turn from these and seek to build His Kingdom and do His will, not my kingdom or my will.

• I thought having children would cure me of self-focus, but it surfaced even harder when we shifted countries and had to learn new languages and new cultures, deprived of many modern conveniences. I had to learn not to dissipate my energy with complaining, nor sap others of their resources and time with my issues. A good cure was to visit local women. Over chats with cups of chai, my problems shrunk in view of their griefs and need of the gospel. I was lifted from self-pity and got on with overcoming.

I: Invite the Holy Spirit to reign in you. Let the God of all comfort fill your life with His presence and purpose, like living water welling up from within. As you embrace difficulties and exercise your gifts, let God’s Spirit develop in you the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• Often, in prayer and Bible reading, the Holy Spirit ministered to me. Particularly in times when I was fearing for the kids, or facing dangers, His presence calmed my soul, lifting the paralysing anxiety and helping me face the situation.

F: Follow Christ: He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). His words are the invincible foundation on which to build our life. Let His word richly dwell within you as He enables you to rise above the circumstances. Others may come and go, but He will never fail.

• I remember at the end of one home assignment, going for a last jog through the fresh countryside. I felt so heavy at leaving family, friends, comforts, and the freedoms of Australia, to return to dry, dusty Balochistan. God’s Spirit spoke to me from Hebrews 12:2,3. As I ran that early morning, I tilted my head up, tears streaming from my eyes quoting: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.The Good Shepherd lifted me from that heaviness and helped me bear my cross.

T: Transformation: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) God loves us too much to leave us in our sin and gives His Word to teach and inspire us to forsake bad habits and pursue righteousness. This daily nourishment gives joy and enables us to grow step by step as a child of God.

• For years, my husband and I have aimed for at least an hour each day to read the Bible and pray. It is a habit we do whether we feel like it or not, like brushing our teeth.

The Psalmist said: “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3)

I like a morning ‘Quiet Time’—to give my best and first time to The One I love most. Before the temptations and trials of the day hit me, our good God meets my needs, deals with my evils, and gives me wisdom and strength. He may convict me of my need to apologise to someone or fix a wrong. I become much easier to live with.

Becoming a low-maintenance Christian flows naturally out of a lifestyle of regularly being “serviced by Christ”. Of course, we need support and other resources, but our main source of strength comes from meeting with the ‘manufacturer’ Himself. It sounds simple and gives great dividends, yet it is hard to implement.

Some time ago, a travelling pastor stunned us with a survey he conducted among the evangelical missionaries he served globally: 80% of them lacked consistent devotional times. They had access to seminars, resources, films, etc., but neglected intimacy with the Lord. I wondered how much this contributes to the high fall-out rate?

If this is true for Christian workers, how much more does it apply to Christians generally? And how does this reflect in our strength, beauty, and effectiveness?

In our age of affluence, distractions, and deceptions, may we seek close connection with our good God to mould and make us into a healthy body of “low-maintenance Christians”, who radiate His light in this dark world.

– Dorcas Denness