Each year, at the end of July or the first of August, a team of volunteers from Believers Church goes down to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Believers partners with the local church there, Verbo Church, via Orphanetwork. As August draws near this year and the time to return to Nicaragua comes, I am getting excited all over again. Each year as we go down, we see growth in both the church and the structure of the orphanage as well as the children it serves.
I have traveled to Nicaragua several times now, and it never gets old. There are a lot of logistics to work out for a trip of this nature: timing, financial ability, arranging flights, and packing. However, the most important thing needed, before going, is time to reflect on what the Lord’s will is for the trip. When we go out in the Lord’s name, we have to allow Him to have all of us, and we have to do everything for His glory. So as I sit and think about the next trip, I contemplate what Jesus would have me to do this year.
Do you realize that we all have a mission? We are all called to be Christ’s ambassadors.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Find your mission:
If we can let down our guard long enough, He can use us. Perhaps, we will be called to go into full-time ministry, but most of us are called to simply shine Jesus through our everyday activities so that others will be drawn to Him. Ask Him what He would have you to do. Maybe our mission involves engaging our friends and neighbors, maybe it’s to engage our co-workers, maybe it’s to engage people in other states or even halfway around the world. Be assured, you will always be placed where you can be most effective, but remember the possibilities are endless.
Find your mission field:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
The disciples were commissioned to go to the ‘ends of the earth.’ This instruction was meant for all believers, then and now. Our goal is to advance the Gospel throughout the world. So, no matter if you travel to do missions or stay near home, find your mission field. Perhaps, it is at the baseball field your kids play at, or the community men’s or women’s club you belong to, or even somewhere you never pictured yourself being. I urge you to look at your skill sets, your interests, and your heart and consider where you can be used.
If you are not going, are you sending? Just a note about ‘going’ and ‘sending.’ Some will ‘go’ out to spread the Good News, but some will ‘send.’ Both play a key role in advancing the gospel. For those who wish to ‘go,’ but can’t, perhaps you can be a sender:
Sacrificing Earthly Necessities Determines Eternal Rewards
Be ready for change.
Several years ago, I was working actively as a nurse practitioner. I use to think my profession was the life mission God had given me. I had been in nursing for years, and it was the only thing I knew. However, my job was not my mission. Sometimes our job is encompassed in our mission, and sometimes it is not. Regardless, we should do all things in life to the best of our ability –our job, our marriage, raising our kids, being a good neighbor, and so on.
For me, God used several events in my life to bring my true life mission to the forefront – serving Him. Once the things blocking my vision were removed, it hit me – I have a bigger mission in life – to share the Gospel and the love of Jesus. For those of us that call ourselves Christ followers that IS the mission. Not everyone is called to go into traditional ministry, so we have to find ways to infuse the message of the Gospel into our everyday lives. Once we open up to the task at hand, opportunities will arise! We just have to be ready!
Take the verse below and commit it, not just to memory, but to your heart.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT
Allow the Lord to use you by allowing Him to direct your path. You’ll get more done His way than yours! Embrace your mission!
Blessings!
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