Great Expectations: Results or Relationships?

Photo by Aaron Burden

As a missionary it is easy to think that we are the ones that are going to make a difference. For many missionaries, a lot of time was spent praying and preparing to go where they believed God was calling them to serve. There isn’t enough time in the world to prepare oneself for a life a serving others. I am reminded regularly of how insufficient I am and how sufficient Jesus is to provide my every need.

Even as a believer, feeling the need to fulfill expectations is very real. Sometimes just telling someone that you are a missionary brings with it a whole bunch of unspoken expectations from both those you are serving and those who support you. I met missionaries a couple of years ago that were serving in the mountains of Turkey. They have served for over 20 years with little to no results. They do not have any conversion story, or a bible study they started. They only have stories of time being spent with locals and of learning how to farm on rocky soil. When asked how they endure the pressure of not having results, they responded by saying “it’s not about the results, but about the relationships.”

In the book of Acts, Peter and the disciples, who had just recently seen the Lord ascend to the heavens, must have felt a tsunami of emotions; What do we do now? How are we going to accomplish what Jesus said? How are we going to fulfill the Great Commission? I would imagine the disciples spent their days pondering how they were going to fulfill these great expectations.

The man that denied Jesus three times to a handful of people was the same man to proclaim Jesus as Messiah to thousands (Acts 2:14). This was not accomplished by trying to fulfill human expectations, but by submitting to God’s expectation of Jesus beginning and finishing His work in us.

I have struggled with trying to be more than expected. I fear disappointment, and here at PIU with all the restrictions associated with Covid, disappointment is easy to find. However, I was recently reminded of why I am here at PIU. It is not about the results, but about the relationships. Our school most likely won’t ever have 5000 students, and wrestling through the success of PIU as an institution and my role as a missionary has helped me value the time I get to spend with the student leaders here at PIU. So instead of fixing my eyes on what is expected, I’m going to choose to enjoy the relationships that God has provided.

We’d appreciate your prayers for PIU. We are going through some transitions and are seeking the Lord for guidance. Thank you all for continued prayer and may the Lord draw near to you as you seek His will for your life.

Alex and Dani Tavarez love God and people, especially living life with students and discipling them to draw closer to Jesus. They have been serving at Pacific Islands University (PIU) on the beautiful island of Guam since June 2017.