Go. That is one of the most prominent commands given in the Bible. One of the most quoted Bible verses is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19: “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.”
If it’s such an important command of Christ, why do so many Christians spend their entire lives never going?
Going looks different for every Christian. Some believers leave everything and everyone behind and move across the world. Some believers move across the country. Some move across the state. And some go down the street. No matter how many miles, hours or time zones a Christian travels, he or she is obeying the Great Commission when they go.
As Christians, we can obey the Great Commission in our homes, our families, our offices, our schools and our neighborhoods.
I think a big part of having a missional mindset when you’re older is growing up around a church and family that demonstrates the importance of missions.
So I was lucky growing up. I was raised in a family and a church where missions (locally, nationally and internationally) were a priority. I can remember participating in various service projects from a young age. I went on my first overnight missions trip in the 7th grade. We traveled around the South serving different churches and communities. My sophomore year of high school I went on my first international missions trip to Belize. And I went back two more times with my church to serve the same people, same church and same community. In college I often served at a local food pantry.
For as long as I can remember, my parents have demonstrated service and missional living. They will do anything for just about anyone. They were always willing and able to help people in church, school, work and the community. My mom cooks and coordinates meals for people who were sick or injured, just had a baby, suffered a tragedy, etc. My dad uses his professional skills as an electrician to help families that need work done in their homes.
It’s so important that we find ways to serve. Just like my parents have done for years, we should use our passions and skills to reach out to those in need in our community, workplace, school or even church. Not only is that the easiest way to find out what avenue we should serve in, but it’s likely the type of service that we will most enjoy and be most likely to continue in.
If you don’t know where you would most enjoy serving then just get busy. If you start serving somewhere you will learn where you don’t fit and where you fit best.
Go across the world, across the country, across the state or across the street, it doesn’t matter. But you must go. God calls us to go in many different ways so be still and ask God where you can serve His Kingdom best.
“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” (Matt. 28:16–20, NIV).
