Where Am I Going?

Have you ever been in the Mission field?  For most of us, when we hear “mission field,” we think of traveling to a distant land where an unfamiliar language is spoken in a culture dramatically different from our own. In the traditional sense, that is true. But have you ever considered that the mission field might be down the street, or just outside your workspace? We see more and more an America with dwindling spiritual fire and growing materialism, secularism, humanism, and sexual immorality. It seems our country is losing the strong Christian influence that was established decades ago, to numerous pagan movements. But what can we do?

What Shall I Do?

Jesus told His disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). That seems like a pretty tall task, we fear getting slandered, laughed at, and ridiculed. Hmm, that sounds just like what the disciples experienced. However, this can make some of us cautious about verbally expressing God’s message to others. How about if I explain how to proclaim the Gospel without saying a word? I go to a lot of meetings, and we are in public places more than we used to be, in and out of airports, truck stops, and tourist attractions. One of the favorite attires of my beloved traveling companion is a shirt that boldly says something about loving Jesus or that Jesus loves them, or something similar in a Bible passage. She loves evangelizing this way and I am amazed at how many strangers will approach her and comment on her shirt. It might only be one person in a hundred that stop and comment. However, how many people read her shirt and did not comment? A quote I once read states “You might be the only Bible that some people will ever read!” But you do not have to wear a printed message to silently witness just down the street or in your workplace.

Your Mission Field

You can be a witness for Christ by the way you live your life, by the words you use, and by what you do. Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (John 5:14). He also said, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).Our appearance, words, and actions do speak volumes to others about our dedication to serving Christ and thus the Gospel will be displayed. There is a sign as you leave the church parking lot that says, “You are now entering the Mission Field”. This is fitting because when Jesus made the command we commonly refer to as the Great Commission. “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).  He includes our neighbor down the street and everyone around us, no matter where we are. Lord be a lamp unto my feet as I enter the mission field so I can proclaim the Gospel to everyone, with or without saying a word. Amen.