Are we not all called to "Go and make disciples of all nations"? (Matthew 28:19) How many of us are doing just that? Where are you going and making disciples? Your workplace? Your friend circle? Another country? Your neighborhood? It doesn't matter where but we are called to do so. When I think of missions, I automatically think of someone in a third world country taking care of the poor and teaching them about Jesus. But that's only one way to be missionary and there are thousands of others. There are many people in countries around the world that do not know Jesus- including the one we live in- USA. There are many ways to serve others and share Christ with unbelievers. There are many opportunities right where you are. Do you have a job? Do you know anyone at your workplace that does not love the Lord? I think its so easy sometimes to forget about the call placed on each of our lives to "Go and make disciples..." and just support someone who goes to another country and lives full time in ministry. But I am challenging you that you can be a missionary wherever you are- you don't have to go to another country to live out this calling on your life.
Generally, missionaries who do make it their full time ministry get paid through support of their church, friends and family. Many of them do live in a country other than their own and they pour all their daily efforts into building relationships with others with the ultimate goal of sharing Jesus with them, in hopes to see them come to know Him as their Lord and Savior. Many of them live by much faith of daily needs, financial needs and spiritual fruition. They meet with other missionaries and leaders to share what is going on around them, encouraging each other and building each other up. They face many challenges as the evil one tries to deter their ultimate goal- seeing lives changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now this sounds great- many people find it fascinating, maybe even a bit crazy, how people sacrifice the comfort of USA living and food for foreign entities and culture.
People who are not “called” by the Spirit to go overseas to be a missionary say, “You can be a missionary wherever you are, I don’t have to be in another country to do missions.” And that is so true. But ARE YOU BEING A MISSIONARY WHERE YOU ARE? You realize that God directs our paths if we dedicate our life to Him- if we try not to understand things and just trust God. (Proverbs 3:5-6) So where you live, work, play, worship, is a result of God directing you there. Some people believe that God doesn't plan out every detail in your life, so be it, but He created us to bring glory to Him regardless. So where you are- even if you believe your brought yourself there- God will use for His glory. My point being that no matter where you are, we are to be His light; His hands and feet; His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy to the people that are around us. God is always working in the lives of people around us, are we willing to join Him in His work?
Some people believe that God doesn't plan out every detail in your life, so be it, but He created us to bring glory to Him regardless. So where you are- even if you believe your brought yourself there- God will use for His glory. My point being that no matter where you are, we are to be His light; His hands and feet; His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy to the people that are around us. God is always working in the lives of people around us, are we willing to join Him in His work?
“Well of course,” you say! But ARE you? Are you pouring out all your efforts to see people know Jesus? Do we take risks for the gospel? And by that I mean, are we willing to sacrifice our reputation, friends, money, time, energy for Jesus- or are we too worried about what the world (our friends, coworkers, family) will think if we do? What about what Jesus thinks?
Its not merely by words that we can display God’s love to people. In fact, it is mainly by how we live- how we react in circumstances, how we love, our nonjudgmental attitudes, the acceptance we have for people who live different than us, rather than condemning them. We need to earn the right to “talk out our differences”. We can’t meet someone and see that they don’t believe in the Lord and immediately try to “convince” them of Christ. Many full time missionaries take time and build relationships with people- showing the love of Jesus and earning the right to vocally share with them the message of Christ.
So again, I ask- are you BEING a missionary where you’re at? Do you genuinely love people because Jesus does? Do you honestly care that their soul means everything to God? Do you live to bring God glory in everything- remember that’s what you were created for! What is the difference between you and the missionary that is in full time ministry? It's their full time job, and just as you were trained for your job, they were well trained for theirs. YOU can commit your entire life to expanding the kingdom too- in fact, that is what is asked of you. You might not be getting paid to share the gospel- but the place that pays you (your workplace) may be the place that God is asking YOU to join HIM in bringing the ones around you to know Him.
~Leanne~
Now this sounds great- many people find it fascinating, maybe even a bit crazy, how people sacrifice the comfort of USA living and food for foreign entities and culture.
People who are not “called” by the Spirit to go overseas to be a missionary say, “You can be a missionary wherever you are, I don’t have to be in another country to do missions.” And that is so true. But ARE YOU BEING A MISSIONARY WHERE YOU ARE? You realize that God directs our paths if we dedicate our life to Him- if we try not to understand things and just trust God. (Proverbs 3:5-6) So where you live, work, play, worship, is a result of God directing you there. Some people believe that God doesn't plan out every detail in your life, so be it, but He created us to bring glory to Him regardless. So where you are- even if you believe your brought yourself there- God will use for His glory. My point being that no matter where you are, we are to be His light; His hands and feet; His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy to the people that are around us. God is always working in the lives of people around us, are we willing to join Him in His work?
Some people believe that God doesn't plan out every detail in your life, so be it, but He created us to bring glory to Him regardless. So where you are- even if you believe your brought yourself there- God will use for His glory. My point being that no matter where you are, we are to be His light; His hands and feet; His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy to the people that are around us. God is always working in the lives of people around us, are we willing to join Him in His work?
“Well of course,” you say! But ARE you? Are you pouring out all your efforts to see people know Jesus? Do we take risks for the gospel? And by that I mean, are we willing to sacrifice our reputation, friends, money, time, energy for Jesus- or are we too worried about what the world (our friends, coworkers, family) will think if we do? What about what Jesus thinks?
Its not merely by words that we can display God’s love to people. In fact, it is mainly by how we live- how we react in circumstances, how we love, our nonjudgmental attitudes, the acceptance we have for people who live different than us, rather than condemning them. We need to earn the right to “talk out our differences”. We can’t meet someone and see that they don’t believe in the Lord and immediately try to “convince” them of Christ. Many full time missionaries take time and build relationships with people- showing the love of Jesus and earning the right to vocally share with them the message of Christ.
So again, I ask- are you BEING a missionary where you’re at? Do you genuinely love people because Jesus does? Do you honestly care that their soul means everything to God? Do you live to bring God glory in everything- remember that’s what you were created for! What is the difference between you and the missionary that is in full time ministry? It's their full time job, and just as you were trained for your job, they were well trained for theirs. YOU can commit your entire life to expanding the kingdom too- in fact, that is what is asked of you. You might not be getting paid to share the gospel- but the place that pays you (your workplace) may be the place that God is asking YOU to join HIM in bringing the ones around you to know Him.
~Leanne~
RSS Feed
