On Missions: A Lovesick Bride

I have always been a passionate person. I cry over stories of kindness and humanity. Even as a child, I would help strangers, often without knowing if my small hands could truly make a difference. Yet, I still did. Helping an elderly person cross the street. Carrying bags for someone struggling. Giving away food or money when I had little myself. Volunteering for community work.

As I grew older, this passion found its purpose in my faith. It became more than just acts of kindness—it became about eternity. Sharing the gospel, not just to inspire, but in the hope that people would encounter the love of Jesus for themselves. I found joy in pointing others to the good news of His life, death, and resurrection. At one point, I even preached in jeepneys and parks, fueled by my love for God and people.

Looking back, I now see how all these experiences were shaping me, preparing me for a greater call—missions.

But passion, if not anchored in truth, can be dangerous. Compassion, when untethered, can lead a person astray.

The more I immersed myself in outreaches and mission work, the more I unknowingly developed a hero mentality. “I am going out there to share the gospel and save people from eternal damnation.” My heart was in the right place, but my perspective was off-center. I had started to see myself as the answer, rather than simply a vessel.

Then, last year, everything shifted.

When I signed up for JREV Missions and attended their training before our outreach to Thailand, the Lord completely transformed my heart regarding missions.

“It is not okay that Jesus is not here.”Ate Mutya’s words cut through me. That one statement reordered the priorities in my heart.

In a world where people are fighting for so many causes—saving the planet, protecting animals, equality, seeking justice for the oppressed—yes, these are good things. But at the root of every broken system, every injustice, every suffering, there is only one ultimate solution: the return of Jesus.

Revelation 22 tells us that when He comes back, He will make all things new. There will be no more sickness, no more death, and no more sorrow. Every tear will be wiped away. If His return is the key, then the question is: What can we do to hasten it?

Matthew 24:14 answers: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

John Piper once said, “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.” There is a picture yet to be fulfilled—a vision of Jesus being worshipped by every nation, tribe, and tongue, just as Revelation describes.

This is the inheritance of Jesus—to receive all the glory, honor, and worship that is due His name for what He accomplished on the cross. The greatest injustice is that Jesus has not yet received the full reward for His suffering.

And here we are, invited into the story. God, being God, is fully capable of accomplishing His purposes without us. And yet, what grace and mercy that He chooses to partner with us. He invites us to co-labor with Him, not just to “save people,” but because deep down, we ache for people to know Jesus and worship Jesus.

Because we are not just workers in His kingdom—we are His bride, His lovesick bride.

Like the woman in Song of Solomon 3, let us be a restless lover who rises in the middle of the night with longing in her heart, searching through the streets and the squares, asking, “Have you seen the One my soul loves?”

This should be our posture in missions: longing. Not ambition. Not pride. But yearning. A holy desire for our Beloved to be near. More than doing things for her Lover, she wants to be with Him.

This longing drives us.

It burns within us when we hear the names of unreached nations.

It aches in our chest when we meet someone who has never heard the name of Jesus.

It compels us—not out of obligation, but of love.

Until the whole world joins in one song: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)

Until every people, tribe, and tongue confesses His name.

Until worship fills every corner of the earth.

Until the Bridegroom comes again.

We go.

And as a bride we say, "Come, Lord Jesus!"