Have you ever been sent to do an errand, but you know you are going to have to name drop in order to get what you need? You’ll have to say the name of the person who sent you or else you won’t get anywhere! Missions is like that. We have been given a great mandate by Jesus. We don’t do this for our own enjoyment or selfish motivation but we feel compelled by Jesus.
Here are a few facts that I’ve seen in His word and experienced in my own life.
• Missions - it’s a mandate. In Mark 16:15 he says to go into all the world. That meant for every believer. Not just for the disciples. This is what he tells the 12.
Luke 9:1-2 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
• Missions - it’s an opportunity for faith. It is total dependency on the One that is sending you. This is so powerful. It does not mean you don’t plan or have strategies, but it means the results are of God. What is my part? I just have to take the journey of faith.
Luke 9:1-5 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
• Missions - it’s an opportunity for God to work in me. I’ve said this many times. It is more what God does in me than what I do for him. And that is evident in the mission field. Something happens to our hearts, and many times we learn so much more than we are giving.
Luke 10:19-20 (NLT) 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
So knowing all this, how should I respond to the calling of God in my life? The first thing will be to ask, “What do you want me to do, and where should go?” Second. Be open to be the answer to your own prayer.
Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
