When Life Is Already Full, Where Does Missions Fit?

Rethinking the Call in Singapore

“Where got time?”

A very common refrain among Singaporeans of all ages. There’s not enough time for work, for rest, for growth, for loved ones.

And as disciples of Christ, we need even more time. Time for spiritual disciplines, time to serve, time to explore God’s heart for missions. Admittedly, missions is sometimes seen as optional, perhaps something for the called, the more spiritual.

However, when we look at the story of the Bible, it is a story of God and His mission to reach out to the world. And God invites us to join Him in His mission. Wright, in his book “The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative,” explains that it is not so much that God has a mission for His church in the world, but that God has a church for His mission in the world.

“So how?”

I would like to borrow a phrase from the title of Eugene Peterson’s book, “A Long Obedience in the same Direction”. In turn, he borrowed this phrase from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

This title caught my attention cos it contained several words that made me feel nervous. Words like “long”, “obedience” and “same”. Words we don’t generally enjoy.

However, there is much truth in this phrase. If we want to see results, or sustain change, we need to keep at something for longer than we think we should.

That 45min weekly walk, that 30 seconds of silence to manage your emotions, that $100 you refuse to spend each month. These acts done once do not change or define us. Until it becomes part of who we are because we do it all the time.

“When missions?”

Now lor.

Let’s all take that next step. Here are some suggestions

Disrupt your existing social media algorithm

Start following missions-hearted organisations and folks. Start with @pioneers.inasia :D

Notice the foreigners among us.

We spend a large amount of time at school or work. Maybe we have a classmate, a colleague or a friend’s friend who is not Singaporean. Be curious about where they are from. Learn why they are in Singapore. Google and pray for the people of this nation.

Attend missions conferences

Antioch Summit is just wrapped up last 1-3 Oct (https://www.antioch21.sg/antioch-summit-2026). Create spaces for God to grow your heart for missions.

Connect with and support a missionary

Maybe your church is already supporting some missionaries. Or you may meet one through a prayer meeting organised by a missions organisation. Support them by praying for them. Support them by giving to them financially. It doesn’t need to be big but commit to it so that praying for and giving to missions becomes you. 

“Missions together”

The challenge of a long obedience in the same direction is keeping at it.

Find someone to bring along as you explore increasing missions in your life. Sign up for a missions conference together, so you feel bad if you skip it. Commit together to support a missionary so you have accountability. Talk to a friend about your thoughts about what you are thinking about with regards to missions.

Missionaries in various places in the world will need years of commitment and prayer as they love the people they are sent to. Many people groups near and far still need us to give, pray, and love them in enduring, tangible ways. So let us walk together for a long, long time.

“Mai Tu Liao!”*

*Hokkien dialect meaning “let’s not drag”, i.e. let’s not stall/hesitate