Eyes to SeeSample

In the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus shares His final instructions to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Greek word translated as “go” is literally translated as “as you are going.” This command is not a calling for the select few to “go on a mission trip” or “go somewhere else,” but a command for all of us to make disciples as we go along, wherever we may live. That is, God has called each one of us to live out His mission in the place where He has called us.

Regardless of our daily life, God calls us to give people a glimpse of the Kingdom of God by bringing compassion, justice, peace, and the good news of Jesus to our neighbours and communities. Just as Jesus “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14), we make our dwelling in our communities, engaging in this everyday, all-encompassing mission.

Let’s meet two people responding to God’s call to missions in different ways:

First, meet Karen. She chose to move into a neighbourhood in Vancouver where Christianity didn’t have a positive presence. Inspired by Jeremiah 29:7, she set out to live among her neighbours and join God in where He was already working. This meant organizing refugee sponsorships, growing food, offering a community kitchen with a regular soup night, and caring for her neighbours spiritually, physically, socially, and economically.

Second, meet Ronnie. He works with Compassion Uganda as a Water Expert. Interested in science from a young age, he wanted to grow up and use his gifts to serve others. When he realized that many of his fellow Ugandans in rural areas did not have safe water or sanitation, Kaweesa dedicated his career to bringing people safe water. He now works with local churches and sees caring for people physically as part of our mission as Christians.

Karen and Ronnie’s lives look very different from each other from the outside. But they are both being everyday missionaries in the way God has called and gifted them. They are both stewarding the resources God has given them to help broken people begin to find wholeness and health.

Some of us are called to go far away, while others are called to stay local. But we are all called to participate as missionaries where we live. We are Christ's messengers in our daily choices to serve and protect others and in the words we speak that bring truth and light. Over the last five weeks, we’ve absorbed a lot of information. We’ve considered what the spiritual roots of poverty are. We’ve looked at the four broken relationships that have resulted from the Fall. We’ve asked God to give us eyes to see what He sees. Now it’s time to see the world around us as our mission field.

Reflect:

• How might your work, home, and relationships be places where you could help restore the results of the Fall?
• Where might people glimpse the Kingdom of God in how you live?

Pray:

Lord, help us to live our lives in a way that gives people a taste of Your Kingdom. Help us make big and small choices to live as missionaries in the places you call us to, whether here or elsewhere. Use my whole life for Your Kingdom. Amen.