Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
This verse has been stirring in my heart for the last two years. It's a common verse, I've heard so many times when referencing a number of theological points from missions to the trinity. In fact, any time the word 'missions' comes up, you will most likely see the above verse attached.
On this missions eve, 8 days before our team leaves for Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, I have been surrounded by messages of getting out there and actually doing something for Christ, probably more so than ever before (and this is my 5th mission trip). As we can all conclude, when God is moving us to do something for His kingdom, it brings on messages warning of spiritual warfare as well. This has provided even further confirmation that I am indeed being called to spread His word and love not only in Haiti, but to as many people who are willing to listen to the testimony of what God is doing in Haiti up on my return.
You see, this time, it is different for me. Not only am I honored to serve in a leadership role, but this is also a homecoming for me. I've been to Haiti before, in the wake of the earthquake with relief efforts. This particular effort, while somewhat checked with relief, is mostly a mission of being the love of Christ - that is the complete focus. Watching our team come together has been one of the coolest God experiences I've ever had, as I physically see Him choosing each team member bringing us together for His glory. We all have different strengths and different weaknesses, it's all very beautiful when put together, like a puzzle He constructed before the beginning of time. So, what is next?
One single life pastor (who was on a previous mission trip with me year) gave a message one Sunday last year about what it meant to "do something." These two simple words are an answer to a million different questions. They have still stuck with me like feathers on tar.
When you were a small child and you felt like the world was too much; or when you were scared of a thunderstorm; or maybe if you couldn't handle a problem; or maybe you were fighting over toys with your siblings; what would you often say to a parent or guardian? "Do Something! .....Mom, Dad, please do something!"
Friends, I feel like in this world with all its turmoil and strife; poverty and blindness; hungry and lost; poor in spirit and broken in heart; weak and wounded; sickness and condemnation; we are being told to "do something."
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. - Philemon 1:6, NIV
In less than 8 days, our team will be meeting at the church at 4:00 AM to go to Haiti. We are going to "do something." We have prayed, we have studied His word, we have prepared, and now we are doing something. I'm at total peace placing our team in His mighty hands - He is the potter, and we are the clay. You see, by some standards, Haiti is considered to be one of the most desolate, dirty, broken, starving, filthy, horrifying places on earth. Poverty levels are high, and so are travel security warnings. Some people have even asked me, "Aren't you afraid of going there?" and you know, I'm more afraid of not going, than actually going. In fact, I'm not fearful at all. I even ask that in place of praying for security, and safety, that you pray for God to give us wisdom in the event of a hostile situation arising. Wisdom to handle the situation so that He may be glorified no matter what happens. Everyone needs to experience the love of Christ, even criminals - let us not forget, according to scripture, we have been criminals too.
I firmly believe one can spend their life in bible studying, and may never achieve actual "bible doing." We can sit on a pew every Sunday getting fed a message, a sermon, full of God's word....just getting fat. Fat on God's word. Sitting there with a "feed me" attitude, then leave and go about our week without ever actually sharing the love that is Christ with anyone. Are we not to spread His love and His good news?
"The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time." - Carl F. H. Henry
Having been an editor, I'm accustomed to the media and information providing business. The definition of news is something someone has not heard before, it is "new" to them. Even if not recent, if someone has not heard it before, the information is considered news. Are you spreading the news of our Savior? There are millions of people on this planet who have not heard about the news of Jesus Christ. Again, in God's word, the non-negotiable command is clear:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20, NIV
No nation is exempt from this command. Are you doing something? or are you getting "fat" on God's word and not sharing it?
I heard a quote once, "Go, send, or disobey." - John Piper, regarding the Great Commission.
Friends, we have one life. How you spend it is ultimately up to you. You can choose to glorify God with your life, or you can choose to serve yourself. At the end of your life, when you stand before God, can you say that you did something? Will you hear Jesus say to you.....
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness! - Matthew 25:21, NIV
Our Savior chose to die on the cross for us; to cleanse us of our sins. It was our sins that held Him there. Your name is right up there on that cross next to mine, and so is the homeless guy on the street. We are all not that different. Will you do something? Will you go for Him? Will you send someone for Him? Where is your heart?
One of the quickest ways to see where your priorities are is to open up your planner and open up your checkbook. Where are you spending your time and where are you spending your money? That is where your heart is. God cares more about your heart than anything else. What are you doing for God? "Do something."
"Sympathy is no substitute for action." -- David Livingstone, missionary to Africa
Don't let circumstances stand in your way, God will take care of that - He wants to take care of it for you, just choose Him. Choose to glorify Him. Let go of everything that is hindering you, and do something. Get out there. Stop talking about it. Stop saying one day you will get around to it. Stop saying, "when I have the money..." - you can do something now. Stop saying, "when I get this right...." - God can use you now. Stop making excuses. Do something.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV
All for the glory of God. All. Are you doing everything for His glory? Why not?
I know you can do something to glorify God. I know you can give God your everything - you can give Him all of you, let Him be the absolute center of your life, and not just something you dabble in on Sundays, or throughout the week, to make yourself feel good. I know God is faithful, and He will prepare you. He will equip you to what He is calling you to do. I'm praying so deeply for you my friends, get out there and do something for Jesus.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" - Isaiah 6:8, NIV
Thank you for your prayers as well, truly. We will be praying for you while we are in Haiti. :-)
<><
Kay
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