Being so passionate about travel, I often find myself constantly looking for the next destination. It is not uncommon for me to have multiple trips on the drawing table at all times. With that being said, one of my biggest struggles is looking at a mission trip from the right perspective. I tend to find myslef considering certain trips because of the location-maybe it is exotic, intriguing, historically sifnigicant, touristic in nature, etc.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18-20 “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.” and in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
I can justify any location saying everyone needs to know Jesus, but what I must do is ask God where He wants me to go. He has a special plan for me that He has uniquely prepared me for. Jesus calls us to go to ALL THE NATIONS and TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. Jesus desires for every person to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him and to spend eternity in Heaven. Jesus doesn’t call us to the most fabulous places for our enjoyment/entertainment or only to the safe places within our comfort zones. Jesus calls us to where He needs us at the appointed time He sends us either at home or in foreign countries. He tells us we will recieve the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses which means He gives us the boldness, patience, protection, opportunities, ability, etc that we need to serve Him.
The World Race does just that. It eliminates my seflish desires
in
deciding where to go and serve. Prayer warriors appointed in leadership have the discernment to decide our route/destinations. It has never been and never will be about me and my personal gain-how many people I lead to personally know Jesus. That is up to the Holy Spirit to have them believe. I am just called to be obedient and go and share God’s love and desire to know each person individually. If I don’t see opportunites to share Jesus in the eyes of every person in every nation, then I have missed the message.
Isaiah said it best in Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” ‘And I said, ‘Here am I send me!” Being a part of The World Race I am saying, “Here am I Lord, Send me to wherever you want me to go!”
