While I was serving a mission in Porto Alegre, I had various types of callings. I'm sure all of you have. There are "big" callings and "small" callings. There are callings with titles, and callings that come as an unspoken duty. As I began to grow and face a growing number of leadership opportunities I began to ponder about and challenges sure to come. I came to an interesting conclusion.
Before I tell you my opinion I want you to develop and and ponder over your own with this question.
What was the hardest calling you had on your mission...
?
Now that you have had a time to ponder, let me tell you what I think was the hardest and why. After reading, please share your opinion and why in the comment box.
The hardest missionary calling: JUNIOR COMPANION.
whatt??? I can't be serious right?
Well I am.
For me, there is nothing harder than wanting to make a difference, and not knowing how. When you are called to a leadership position you have control and decisions to make. You go to meetings, you're given direction. As a junior, you are told to listen to your leaders and follow the spirit. So that's why it gets hard when you disagree with your companion about an action that should be taken, or when you want to say something but are afraid to "step on someones toes". To those experiencing this dilema I refer to the classic nike slogan: "JUST DO IT" I remember wanting to do contacts and feeling out of place because my companions weren't doing them. I remember wanting to say certain things to investigators and being afraid my companion would disagree. Being junior is hard because you spend a lot of time second-guessing yourself. It's so easy to fall into mission culture, or do the bare-minimum. You don't want to rock the boat too much. In time I learned to overcome this, with lots of prayer and study. I learned to trust the Lord more. But I still have to constantly keep it up to maintain a spirit of courage and ACT by faith.
So how does this relate to Post-mission life?
When I got home I was happy and outgoing and hopeful. I shared experiences with co-workers, and family members. But that quickly faded away. No longer was I a unique member of society making a 24 hour noble sacrifice to the Lord and those I served. I didn't receive a calling. Not a single calling. And so I was worse than junior...I was just normal.... just a member. In this situation it becomes extremely easy to lose the point and purpose to it all. It becomes super easy to sit back and take a ride. Without a calling it's hard to know how to serve. But it doesn't make your duty any less.
This is why many Return missionaries swirl into a depression.
This evening (5/4/2014) We watched a CES fireside with Elder M. Russell Ballard from San Diego. Something he said reminded me of the importance to act.
He said, "Satan wants you to stop practicing good habits and stand on the sidelines....Remember we are at war..."
When I got home form my mission all my formal responsibilities were sucked away! This doesn't mean I can sit on the sidelines. And if I want to be a good member missionary I need to keep up the good habits I learned as a full-time missionary. Which is why it's sometimes surprising to see how few a number of Returned missionaries actually get to bed by 10:30 and study the scriptures everyday. I must admit that I am guilty of breaking these rules.
We have a wonderful work to participate in. This, the Lord's work, isn't just for full-time missionaries anymore. If the church is going to have success it's gonna need your participation. And what does that mean? What are your responsibilities. It's simple. Just like a junior companion, your job is to listen to your leaders and follow the spirit. And don't follow my failed attempts. When you feel prompted to do something, don't be afraid to step on someone's toes. JUST DO IT. We are all leaders here. If you don't act, you are not magnifying your calling.
So I want to encourage you to STICK to good habits, and ACT when the spirit whispers. You will find you are much happier and productive. Surely your purpose and identity will return to you. It's all there in your little leather bound quad, but it needs to be opened if it's really gonna make a difference in your life.
That's all I have for today! Thanks for reading,
As sister's in zion,
Erin Young
ps. welcome Danielle, I can't wait to read your post ;)
