I had an interesting conversation with God yesterday.
He asked me, “Would you be willing to board an airplane and fly for more than 24 hours in order to take my message to a far continent?”
“Yes, of course, Lord.” I said.
“Would you be willing to climb into a rusty Jeep and travel up a dusty, rocky road in order to find those who don’t know about Me?”
“Would you be willing to enter a primitive village where no one speaks your language?”
“Even if you know that they don’t have running water and don’t eat your type of food?”
My answers again and again were, “Yes, Lord, of course I would. You know that I would go anywhere and do anything for You.”
Then He threw the curve ball.
“Would you drive for 20 miles on a bumper to bumper interstate to take My message to people who don’t know about Me?”
“Would you dress up in an executive suit and ride an elevator to the 18th floor in order to share My message of hope?”
“Would you be willing to travel to the next town in order to deliver My Word to a plant?”
“Or a school?” “Or a hospital – where you work?”
Where you work! Ah- there’s the key.
It was clear to me what the Lord was speaking. Everywhere we go is a mission field. So often we might glamorize work that is being done in the far reaches of the world while considering the work close at hand to be boring and nothing but a chore.
But when we live our lives for Jesus, our focus can change. Instead of seeing our jobs as boring or mundane, and seeing our co-workers as obnoxious, we can see as He sees. We can begin to see our Father’s compassion for the people we are around everyday. They may seem indifferent – or even hostile – yet God loves them, and they need Him even when they don’t know it.
So what do we do? We pray and stay tuned into what God is telling us. There may be special words He wants us to speak. There may be certain gifts He wants to flow through us. Maybe He will give us a Word of knowledge about their specific needs.
Are we to pray for their healing? Is their marriage in trouble? Are their children having problems? Are they single and lonely?
Every human being – whether living in a mud hut or a mansion – can be going through a season of despair. And the mansion-dwellers will usually try to hide their true condition. But the Lord knows – and those who are in tune with Him can take them what they need.
And don’t forget the “living witness” aspect of our lives. As people observe our joy, our hope, and our faith, they will be drawn to our answers.
So today as you start out, see your life as what it truly is: an adventure with God. There are places to go and things to do. There are also lessons to be learned – and lessons to share. Words to speak – and prayers to pray.
Whether it’s in a faraway village or the governor’s mansion, our life can be an exciting one when we live it for and with our God.
Just remember: you are always on a mission.
Luke 4:18, 19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
