“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 18:19-20
To say that my father was passionate about missions would be an understatement. In 1948 my parents with a toddler in tow, headed to China as missionaries. However, a dock strike left them stranded on the west coast and the communist takeover in China prevented them from leaving the U.S. In the late 1950’s my father traveled to Ecuador to investigate the possibility of starting a new mission site.There would be two families…two pastors and two nurses. In the early 60s our belongings made the trip to Ecuador, however, a few days before our family was to leave, the other couple decided that they would not go. Again the plans changed. My father’s role for the rest of his career would be to pastor various congregations while serving as an administrator for his denomination’s mission work. While he was heavily involved in mission work, his true dream was never realized.
I seriously doubt that there are many Christians who are unfamiliar with the command to spread the gospel. We hear it and we understand it’s meaning, but regularly don’t follow through. I know I’m guilty…another area that needs to be worked on. But hearing and understanding does not fulfill our responsibility. Francis Chan sees the problem this way: “Simon says, ‘Pat your head’, we pat our heads. Jesus says, ‘Go therefore and make disciples,’ we memorize that verse.” So true…it’s like buying a treadmill to lose weight, but never actually using it and expecting the pounds to fall off. James is thorough in his statement: “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25) So why is it so hard? I believe that there are several reasons: our perception of the calling, our understanding of the command, our schedule, our self-perception and our understanding of God.
When we think of the great commission and the mission field, we consider it a calling for some men and women to leave their families to head to foreign nations…some venturing to areas where the living conditions are less than ideal. These people sacrifice their comfort and relationships to take the Gospel to distant places. While that is good start, it is not the entire picture. The fact that God has not asked us to move overseas does not mean that He has not given us a mission field. Consider our family, friends, co-workers and neighbors or the strangers that we meet, this is the population to whom we have been called. Further, I am sensitive to the fact, that many in my principle audience have limited contact with people and maybe, for the most part, confined to their home. As I am no longer able to work, my world is very small as well. I spend most of my day alone and when I am out, I move in very small circles. However, my limited exposure to the world does not override the call to action and it does not make me useless, it just changes the parameters. The same is true for you. Consequently our first hurdle is that our perception of “all of the nations” is too limited in scope. It refers to those close at hand speaking the same language as well as those far away speaking in a different tongue.
Similarly, we tend to misunderstand the command. To teach suggests that our message is purely verbal yet Paul tells us: “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6) If we follow this instruction, our actions as well as our words address the needs of those around us and provide the opportunity to share God’s message of salvation and peace. Paul did this, working and living with people as well as instructing them. His lifestyle gave opportunities to speak and as well as reinforcing his message after the fact. As we are called to act and speak, consider a few possibilities. When we interact with those around us, we should make ourselves available, even if it is just to listen; eventually there will be an opportunity to speak. Being patient with the new technician who seems like they are drilling for oil when performing a blood draw is an extension of grace. Consider the nurse or doctor who is a little short with you, they too may be struggling with health or family issues of which you are unaware. Not taking offense is an act of love and a form of ministry. Building a rapport with your home healthcare nurses provides a platform to share your faith. If they too are a Christian, you can encourage each other. Being graceful when we’re dealing with health, emotional or family issues can be a stretch, it is still how we are called to act so that when given the opportunity, our message will be received.
Our schedules are another issue and, again, there can be problems on both ends of the spectrum. We have a lot going on. Family, work, church, etc. all make demands for our time. Most of us get so caught up into our lives and business that we fail to act. We truly need to assess our lifestyle to find ways to slow down rather than rushing through everything and connecting with nobody. On the other end of the gamut, those of us with limitations and energy issues, need to find ways to rise to the occasion when there is a need to reach out to someone. Too often we assume that someone else in better health should address the need when God is asking us to address the situation. No matter which end of the range we’re on (and everything in between), we need to balance our lives in such a way that we are as healthy as possible and available to fulfill the tasks God gives to us.
Our self-image is another area that we need to address. First of all, we are made in God’s image and therefore, have the skills we need for the tasks God sets before us. We won’t necessarily have the skills that are needed for someone else’s tasks, but God does equip us for our assignments. No matter how small our world is, we are always useful to God. Sometimes it’s an action, sometimes it speaking and sometimes it’s just living with grace. At the end of my father’s life with a failing body and a failing mind, he felt useless. Yet those who cared for him were drawn to him because he was respectful and kind. When life became too difficult and he would become impatient or cross, he would come back quickly with an apology. That in itself was a testimony, especially to those who knew he was a minister. Despite his many limitations, he still had an impact for good on those around him. The point is that we don’t have to be grand orators or exceptionally influential to be God’s spokesman. Remember, Christ’s disciples were “uneducated and untrained men” (Acts 4:13) yet by maintaining their relationship with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them, they were able to accomplish much for God’s kingdom.
Finally, we forget who God is, what He is capable of and how He works. God is Lord and creator of all things. He made our universe from nothing. His wisdom and abilities are limitless. Further, He doesn’t provide in advance, but like the manna in the wilderness, He provides just what we need when we need it. When God calls us to a task and we faithfully respond, He is able and will provide the skill, the words or the actions that are needed at the proper time. Where we regularly go wrong is when we become impatient and try to do it on our own. Often it is because we are not taking care of our souls and are therefore, not in step with God. Like Paul we are made strong in our weakness, but we must trust in and look for God’s provision. By God’s sustaining grace we are able even when we are weak, we just need to maintain our souls as well as our body.
Like my father, God’s plan for our ministry may look much different than the one that we have imagined, but it is the plan fashioned for us. When we slow down enough, properly understand what is asked of us and understand who God is and who we are, we are able to fulfill what He asks of us no matter our circumstances. In Christ we are valuable and we are able whether our ministry is to the many or the few. Take to heart the words of our Lord and Savior and “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)