“Awesome! Great idea to do your trip now while you have the time!”
I wish I had a nickel for every time I have heard this comment the last few months. Non-christians, christians, younger people, older people, family, friends, strangers and every one in between say the same thing through the lens of a 21st century american mindset. Not all bad, but a little twisted from what Jesus sent us to do, and the mindset Jesus called us to have.
People are well intentioned, But It is more than an exciting adventure, or a cool experience.
I understand that I am only 22, I am in the prime of my adventure years, the world seems as though it is mine for the taking, and once I have a wife, kids, job, life, I could easily be saying the exact same thing to a younger generation.
But is that what Jesus called us to be like for our entire life? As a Christian is it right for me to make my life so busy and tied down that I can never do what Christians are called to do?
What if I could shape my life in a way that it allowed for me to do missions consistently, even months out of the year, for my whole life?
With out thinking about it, our culture twists us away from a life Jesus planned for us. Palmer Chinchen writes in his book True Religion of when he was saw True Religion Jeans priced out for $348.00! What? How can one pair of jeans be worth that much? Yet much of our culture will buy these because its what we do. Its what “everyone” does. Even though it is obviously ridiculous. That is twisted.
If you’ve ever visited a 3rd world country, you will understand how there is a better use for $348.00 than one pair of jeans, especially when there are 5 pairs of jeans in the closet already.
Similarly, our culture is twisted into this idea that being missional is part-time, a one time deal, or worse for the next person to do.
“…Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus is pretty clear, IF you follow Jesus, part of your call is to go into the Nations, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them Jesus’ commands. There is no age limit, or requirement here. It is simple, If you are a disciple of Jesus, your life should be a life of missions.
Life, Not just my 20s could and should look like this.
I understand that some of the most important discipleship is the kind that we do in our own families, in our own neighborhood and at our jobs. This is great, but do not disregard the possibility that God is calling you to also serve somewhere else to help, serve and disciple others maybe close maybe far away. Let’s dream big, and let God speak big into our lives.
So Go. Don’t fall into the twisted mindset that if you are ever going to serve, it will happen when you’re young or have time. That’s a lie. Go now : )
With love,
Jake
