Looking Beyond the Obvious

Because of the way they act and dress, missionaries are easy to identify in a crowd of people. It is kinda obvious, isn’t it? However, do people appreciate that missionaries are set apart as actual representatives of Jesus Christ? Many of us cannot look beyond their youth to see that they are so much more.

The Savior had a similar problem where most did not understand who he truly was. 

It says in Isaiah 53:2-

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 

And in Luke 4:22

….and they said, is not this Joseph’s son?

These scriptures teach us that Jesus was so plain that he fit right in with everybody else. In this same chapter of Luke, Jesus boldly declared that He was the Savior of the world and the promised Messiah.  Because his audience did not look beyond his appearance and his circumstances, he was immediately rejected. Rejection in any form never distracted him from his purpose as stated in John 12:47.

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Our missionaries who understand their missionary purpose are determined and sincere as they share this beautiful desire with the Savior to save the world. One person at a time.  I invite you to look beyond their appearance and ask them to share their testimony of the Savior. As you listen with a sincere desire to change, I promise that you will feel the spirit of truth and God accompanying their words.

The Missionary Purpose:  Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.