We’re talking this month about the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). For some, that means traveling to the nations.
But what about when the nations come to you?
WHO ARE THE NATIONS?
Actually the word “nations” is translated from the Greek word ethnos, meaning: a race, a tribe, foreigners, Gentiles, heathens.
Was Jesus saying they were to tell others who were “not like them” about Him?
Doesn’t He also want us to tell others who are “not like us” about Him? Everyone needs to hear. Everyone needs to tell.
WHERE ARE THE NATIONS?
We don’t have to board a plane to find the nations. We’re with others not like us all the time. We work in the same offices; our kids go to the same schools; we show up at the same sporting events; we may even share the same pew on Sunday mornings.
Our skin color may or may not look different; we may or may not speak the same language; our socioeconomic status may or may not differ.
But if one of us knows Jesus and the other does not, that’s who we’re called to “go” to.
HOW DO I GO?
You’ll go differently in every relationship, but some similarities might include:
- Go with food
Feed a family. How often do we eat only with our family or best friends? Can we occasionally invite someone different to the table? It’s a great place in every culture to hear others’ hearts and share our own.
- Go with service
Step outside church walls and see the needs of your community. Volunteer at a non-profit; join a community book club; play on your company’s ball team. While our church families make great company, we’re called to be the light of the world, not just lights in the sanctuary (Matthew 5:14-16). God gets the glory when we reflect Him in the city.
- Go with money
Give locally. When you can, help the poor among you. My city is blessed with a local ministry similar to World Vision. At Christmas we were able to give a hand-wrapped present face-to-face to the beautiful girl we sponsor when her family came to pick up the box of food that our sponsorship pays for each month.
- Go with conversation
Talk to the regulars. Who do you see during your weekly routine that you still don’t know? Be intentional about learning names and interests. The grandmother beside you on the bleachers may be desperately lonely for the discussion you can bring. Relationships are built one conversation at a time. What begins with soccer schedules can end up with sharing Jesus.
- Go with compassion
Educate yourself on cultures. Several Hispanic families speak no English at our local food pantry. With minimal effort, I learned the Spanish words for items they repeatedly ask for. Maybe you could reach neighborhood teens by learning what snacks they like or what movies they watch. Leaning into others’ interests is a great way to care and open avenues for deeper conversations.
BUT AM I QUALIFIED?
Whether God sends you to the nations or sends the nations to you, He’s equipped you to see them, talk to them, give to them. You don’t need an extroverted personality or a degree in Missions or one-way airfare to Africa.
You only need to give what Jesus has given to you:
- company to the lonely
- vision to the blind
- hope to the hurting
- bread to the hungry
- grace to the guilty
Regardless of the nations around you— the depressed, the discriminated against, the broken, the confused—this is your mission field.
When the mission field comes to you, show up in it.
Shine the light of Christ on it.
Love like Jesus among it.
Who is in your mission field in this season?
How can you love them?
Please share in the comments.
Tweetables:
5 ways to “go” when the mission field comes to you http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Oi Ideas from @LisaNotes at @DoNotDepart Click here to tweet this.
“We’re called to be the light of the world, not just lights in the sanctuary.” http://wp.me/p1Su7F-2Oi @DoNotDepart Click here to tweet this.
Lisa, thank you for all these great suggestions of how we can share Jesus with the nations right here at home!
I’m glad God always opens doors for us wherever we go if we’ll keep our eyes open for the opportunities.
Great post, Lisa. The one that really captured me for some reason was “go with compassion.” Without that we’re nothing… guess I needed to hear that today.
You know that “compassion” stuck out the most to me, too, Floyd, since that’s my One Word this year. God is making it pop up in so many places for me these days. He does know what we need to hear for sure. Now I just need to trust His empowerment more to do what He’s showing me….
This is a super post! Much to ponder :-) Thanks!
Thank you, Kristen. We appreciate you stopping in and leaving encouragement.
Great tips! Thanks, Lisa!
Ironically my “mission field” this week has been extremely small. When snow hits the deep south like it has this week, we all stick around the house. :)
So true Lisa, it seems like everywhere I go in the US there are many people groups all around. Then I hear people getting upset about all the immigrants and I think, why should they be upset that God is sending them the nations, why not just take the opportunity to share God’s love with them instead of making it harder for them to come here?
I appreciate hearing your take, Caleb, since you are one that actually goes out and lives among the nations in the world! I’m very thankful we have people like you who can be comfortable spreading Jesus whether here or there.
Lisa, thank you for bringing to our attention that Jesus had equipped us with everything we need to share with others. I am currently reading a book that reminds the reader that wherever God has called us and whatever He’s given us to do He has equipped us. I intentionally get in to conversations with the baggers at the supermarket, and last week when I went the second time to a new girl who is doing my hair before I knew it we were in the middle of a conversation about church…where she openly admitted until she was an adult she’d never gone to church. I’m excited to see how Jesus works this one out! :)
Sounds like an inspiring book that you’re reading, Dianna. I’d love to be a fly on the wall as you converse with your baggers and beautician. :) I know I could learn much from watching you relate with others. Yes, it will be exciting to see how this turns out!
I’m a little late finally getting to read this, but I LOVE it, Lisa. Thanks for these practical ideas with such encouragement and inspiration. You model this even to your friends on social media, so thank you.
You are such an encouragement to me, Caroline. Thank you for always being an example of compassion yourself.
So important! We are all called!
I agree, Rachel! We are called and purposed. It’s a beautiful thing.