As I direct my mind to think about Missions Month, it calls to remembrance the celebrations and services of past years here at Christian Life Center. I can almost hear our congregation passionately joining together in song, “We speak to nations, be open; We speak to nations, fall on your knees,” or “Let Your glory fall in this room, let it go forth from here to the nations…” Yes, fervently believing we could and should be an active part of preaching Jesus in all the world.
One of the unfortunate side effects of this year’s coronavirus event is the potential for self-absorption and self-preservation. It can – and has in many cases – made people feel helpless, alone, fearful; and has put their eyes and focus on looking out for their own interests. (Not in all cases, however, as we have seen some novel humanitarian acts and philanthropy.) As Christians, we are not helpless and alone and we have our Heavenly Father looking out for us. Beyond mere worldly concerns, our eyes see eternity. And beyond mere humanitarian efforts, our concern for others extends to see as most important the need for all to know our Savior Jesus Christ and enter into Kingdom life and living – here and now – and for eternity. We are not limited by the dictates nor resources of this world and we are not motivated as much by temporal needs as we are by our relationship with Jesus Christ and with eternity in mind.
We are called to reach the world even when our world has been disturbed. How do we accomplish that when we ourselves are breathing ash-filled air, feel subdued by political systems, may be suffering in body or mind or emotion or have needs of our own? How do we refocus?
We have to remember who we are and Whose we are. Ephesians 2:4-6 says, “But because of His great love for us, God…made us alive with Christ…it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” We are not “under” the limitations of the world. We are not to let the things of this world take away who we are, our position in Christ, and His commission for our lives.
We have to know what we are supposed to be doing. Matthew 28:19-20 says “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” We have been given directions. Wherever we go…spread the Good News…preach, heal, set people free, cast out the works of darkness, point people to Jesus. We are His witnesses.
We have to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have to know we cannot – and are not supposed to try – to do God’s work on our own. We can’t do God’s work without God! When Jesus spoke to those gathered at His ascension, He not only told them to go preach the Gospel, but He told them to first wait until they received the Holy Ghost – Holy Spirit – empowering them to do so! Luke 24:49: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” We have to remember that our mission is not accomplished by flesh and blood, not by horses and chariots, not by our own strength; but by the Spirit of God. We need only read the book of Acts to see what kind of explosion of the Gospel followed the Day of Pentecost. God is not limited by our own personal lack. That’s when He shows up to do what only He can do. Zechariah 4:6: “ ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.”
We can’t be moved by apparent circumstances. Paul was in prison, Nehemiah was lied about, Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den; there was the fiery furnace, Moses at the Red Sea with his whole congregation, old Abraham becoming a dad… We have to know that what God says is…IS. The I AM says what’s up! If we partner with the Lord, do what He says (even when it seems silly…I mean who would fight a battle by marching around a wall? or wage war by singing praises?), the I AM will go before us, make a way, provide, empower.
Yes, perhaps we have felt a little deflated the past months – maybe in the natural we feel “little” or unimportant, irrelevant. But the church is still the body through which God has chosen to make Himself known here on earth. And you and I are “the church.” He asks us to preach, heal, unloose chains, cast out demons and point people to Him. Sometimes we speak and sometimes we help provide for others who have been called and sent into specific areas or nations with the message of the Gospel.
We have a purpose, a mission. We are not powerless and helpless when the Holy Spirit lives in us. We belong to Jesus Christ and He has asked us to operate in His Name – His authority. Let’s not shirk back and gather up what we can to preserve a meager existence, but let’s hear our call, ask “how?” and then follow the Lord; as we are empowered by His Holy Spirit.
I hear more tunes now…“Here am I, send me to the nations, as an ambassador for You…” and very personally and for each one of us…
“Yes, Lord, yes, to Your will and to Your way.”
I’ll say, “Yes, Lord, Yes. I will trust You and obey.”
When Your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I’ll agree,
And my answer will be “Yes, Lord, yes.”