The Mission Field Next Door

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

What do you picture when someone speaks of missions? I bet it’s probably a vision of being someplace far away. Recently, while waiting for an appointment, I suddenly became aware of the international, multi-cultured mix of people around me. They looked different than me and spoke a variety of languages. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was in the middle of a mission field.

What is important about the mission field is not where it is located or how far we go to get there. The crucial thing is what we do when we get there.

For the Christian, reaching out in mission to share the gospel to an unsaved world is not optional; it is mandatory. When we take on Christ’s DNA, it comes with a call to mission.

Any effective sharing of the gospel must always begin with a God-given burden. We must first care. Jesus cared, but do we? Do we truly want to reach out to perishing people?

These people may be around the world or they may be around the corner. Either way, we are called to go. We are called to care. We are called to share and minister with love and the message of the gospel. Think about the mission field Jesus is calling you to? Who can you impact, perhaps even on the street where you live?

Father, when I accepted Christ as my Savior, You set me apart to go and to share. Open my eyes that I might see the mission field before me and then give me the conviction and the courage to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Amen.

Start each day this week by praying for one person you know who doesn’t yet follow Jesus.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney