A.W. Milne was a missionary. He and some others became known as the one-way missionaries. They bought one-way tickets because as they went to far flung regions and into uncertain circumstances they knew they might face danger, lose their lives, and never come back.

So they did something strange. They packed all of their belongings to take with them…

In a coffin.

Have you ever heard the expression “pack your bags”? Well, they packed a coffin. 

It was a symbolic gesture. They were dying to their former selves and to their former way of life. They were committing themselves to the kingdom of God no matter what.

I really admire that. It’s easy to get attached to things. It’s tempting to put too much stock in what other people think about us, or even in the idea that we know what is best for us more than God. And although I’m not advocating you get rid of all your material possessions and become a missionary to a foreign land (although you are certainly welcome to do that), I wonder if this story might help us reflect on whether we’re truly committed to Jesus.

Are you prepared to learn the word of God? Are you prepared to love others, to be active in a local church, to pray consistently, to speak up when called upon, to be called names, to help the hurting? 

Reflecting on the one-way missionaries, Mark Batterson offers this piece of advice: “Pack your coffin.”*

We may not be missionaries, but we are disciples of Jesus who are called to share and show the good news of his kingdom wherever we happen to be. In Mark 8:34 he says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Did you see how it says “whoever”? That means all of us.

Yes, there is sacrifice. But there is also love, joy, peace, meaning, purpose, and hope.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35).

Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV. 
–*Mark Batterson, Going All In (Zondervan: 2013), 11.