Get Going!featured

A while back I painted a picture based on the Great Commission, Matthew 28: 18-20:

^‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”’

Sometimes, I think we interpret these verses as applying to only to missionaries.  For us, “non-missionaries”, we often think it applies only to us when there is a crisis or special need.  We respond to the call for help or we sign up for a “mission” event, swooping in to help and then swooping back out.  Now these are good things, but I don’t think that is all there is to Jesus’ call for us to “Go and make disciples.”

Ephesians 2:10 says, “ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Perhaps this verse is showing us another facet of Jesus’ command to “Go.”  I think “going” is a lifestyle not an event.  He is calling us to be missionaries every single day of our lives here on earth.  It is mind-boggling to me that God prepared good works for me to do probably way before I was born, and I feel certain that I am way-behind on what He planned for me. 

What would happen if I woke up each morning asking God, “What have you planned for me today?”  But wait!  What if I had to sacrifice my own plans and schedule when He reveals His plan? What if He wants me to commit to something longer term than an event?  What if He is calling me to be faithful to that commitment for a month, a year, or longer? 

But what if my heart was so full of God’s love that I woke up each morning ready and anxious to serve Him regardless of how I might need to rearrange my schedule or my priorities?  What if I looked at each day as a treasure hunt, looking for how God wanted me to serve Him?  What if I was willing to actively seek His voice throughout the day?  What if I offered that encouraging word to someone who was discouraged, provided a meal for a family in need, spent time with a lonely neighbor, or sent a note of thanks to one of my pastors?  What if I committed to hosting a small group in my home, or to work regularly at the homeless shelter, or to mentor a child, or to increase my giving? 

What if God asked me to do something crazy, something I was totally unqualified or prepared to do – like paint and write devotionals?

Jesus’ call to “get going” applies each one of us each day.  It is His call to a wonderful, exciting and joyful adventure!  We just have to be willing to set aside our own plans and commit to what He has prepared for us to do.  I know that I won’t do this perfectly.  I will stumble and fall and likely you will too, but I think the joyful adventure is worth the effort!  Let’s get going!

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