Around The World: Making A Global Impact OverseasSýnishorn

Wrestling With Calling

“But I don’t know if I’m called to move overseas,” is a common objection I hear about crossing cultures. After all, God called the apostle Paul with a light from heaven on his way to Damascus, striking him blind in his path. Jesus himself audibly spoke to Paul with specific instructions. Later, he further revealed a special purpose for him to be his chosen person to take his message to Gentiles and to kings. 

Are you waiting for something as significant as a lightning bolt before you allow yourself to consider moving overseas? 

Most cross-cultural workers do not experience such a clear directive. Many of them do have clear and memorable moments of submission to God’s will in their lives. They also know that God revealed to them, in various ways and times, their unique and specific purpose. But all of those confirmations and experiences with God are painted in different shades. 

Most future field workers receive these confirmations along the way, as they actively move along the path toward a life in another culture. If you’re waiting for a call, a sign, or a miracle that will unequivocally compel you down a global path before you risk stepping out in faith, you may be waiting a long time. 

Instead of waiting for a green light before you move forward, why not take forward-moving steps until a red light compels you to stop? Instead of requiring a clear direction to go, could it be instead you need clear direction to stay? Jesus already makes it quite clear what he thinks about this. 

I imagine Jesus gathering his eager and wondering disciples just before he disappeared into the clouds and returned to heaven. In today’s vernacular it might sound something like this: 

“Let’s be very clear about what I’d like you to do. No parables this time. Go! Go into the whole world! You’ve experienced and seen good news these past three years, so pass that on to everyone. You know how I’ve taught you, so go figure out how to teach everyone else to obey all of it. By the way, make sure that the people whom you are teaching to obey me (and thus obey God) are covered with knowledge of God the Father, and of me, and of the Spirit I’m sending you for power. Baptize them to symbolize their surrender.” 

Then the disciples nodded and said, “Of course. Thanks for the clear instructions.” 

“But where should we go? To whom should we go?” one might have asked Jesus. 

Jesus answered, while the clouds started to part, “To the suburbs of your hometown of Jerusalem, of course. But also Samaria, your next-door neighbors whom you despise and certainly don’t know very well. And just in case you feel like you only have Jerusalem and Samaria, then let me spell it out: you’ve got to get to the ends of the earth, to everyone, to all the people groups, to all the nations!” 

I can imagine them, this meager number of eleven disciples, their faces clouded with the impossibility of such a task. Jesus says knowingly, “Yes, this is too hard and too impossible, but go, because I’ll be with you, even to the very end of the age!” 

Consider acting on Jesus’ vision for you to go make disciples of all the nations of the world. With the desperate lack of believers willing to go despite the clear command to go, if you’re willing, start down the path! Jesus will be with you wherever you go as you stay close to him. Start small, and start soon.

To discover your global role, either in your city or across the seas, read Jeannie Marie’s book, Across the Street and Around the World .