In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us:
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
Probably one of the most common questions I’ve had to face both before and after the Race is, “Why overseas? Why not help in America?”
I never really know how to answer that question in love. Part of me wants to scream, “Why don’t you help those in America? What makes me so special?” But I know that’s not out of love; it’s out of frustration.
For whatever reason, this question popped into my head today. Nobody asked it; I asked myself. As I sat there and thought about it, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Mt 28:19. Jesus himself asked us to go into the nations. Now, granted, a more literal translation would read, “make disciples of all nations, people, and people groups,” however, that doesn’t negate the fact that these people exist overseas. Reaching all people groups requires people to go and, well, reach them.
How are we supposed to just leave people to figure it out for themselves, to help each other out, if none of them have ever heard the name Jesus? How are they supposed to stumble across truth if nobody is there to expose it? I by no means think missionaries bring God to these places, to these people. God is just as fully alive and present in the slums of Kenya as he is in the skyscrapers of America. The challenge, however, comes in exposing Him, in bring people to this realization that He is there.
It’s often hard for us to imagine people who’ve never heard Jesus’ name when we live in the States.
Personally, I know there are people in the States that could use my help. I know there are people around me who don’t know the truth about Christ; but I also know there are thousands of churches, pastors, and people who can step up and say something. In fact, they’re called to. We don’t lack the manpower to make Him known; we lack the boldness and passion to do it. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people who are living out Mt 28:19 within this very country, but you can’t blame those of us trying to live it out overseas for those who aren’t living it here.
We have a responsibility as Christians, as Christ-followers, to make His name known. Not just here but everywhere.
Habakkuk 2:14 says:
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
How is the earth going to be filled with this knowledge if we don’t go out and share it?
So why did I go overseas? The same reason I’m moving to Georgia. Because Jesus himself commanded us to action.
