I pose there is something within human nature that makes each of us think that we are insignificant. I mean, we go to work each day just have the same work to be done the next day, and the next day and the next. For most college students like myself, spending four years in college only to struggle to find a job makes you wonder if there was any purpose in the whole thing. You can really name most circumstances in life and we just feel insignificant. Why is that? When Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,” why is it that we question what Jesus did on the cross? He died for each of us to have life with Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That payment for our sins is indescribable by even the most theological and churched person because how can you limit the love that Jesus poured out that day 2,000 years ago. It was free and it was complete. Therefore, Jesus did not say we needed to be a hero. He certainly did not say that we needed to be famous. In fact, Jesus did not even say we needed money to be significant. So there seems to be a hidden dogma within society that is elevating significance to a standard that is unachievable for most people. Thus, the blistering result is that most people are left unhappy and empty. That is NOT how God intended his beloved to live.
Whenever I talk with other adults, I often see that they are content. I can never get that. I can understand having joy but contentment I am not so sure about. I am not saying that one has to live in angst or worry, as that is not the point, but I am questioning why there is even a reason to be content. While contentment means “in a state of peaceful happiness; satisfied,” there just seems to be something wrong. As Jesus walked in his earthly ministry, he did not live a peaceful life. He lived with character that led him to shake things up. He did not settle in a comfortable and look back at his life being satisfied. There was always a mission and there was always a purpose that was to be done.
I often wonder if that is why most people feel insignificant. There is a loss of eternal mission and purpose. We go to work for 40 years just to have what? A retirement? From what I can see, most of those in retirement get bored faster than they ever foresaw. God has a purpose and it is something that we are all meant to live for. Matthew 28:19-20 states it perfectly “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.” I realize that at first glance many people read this verse and say, “So I am supposed to be a missionary?” That is undoubtedly what this verse is saying. However, the thing to realize with the Great Commission is that while some may be called to go to other nations to preach the gospel there are those who have their offices, churches, communities, and other organizations where eternal service can be carried out. Yesterday, I was at the Global Leadership Summit as a Compassion International Advocate and it amazes me how many people said I would love to sponsor a child in need but I cannot do it right now. While that is fine, I just looked and watched people passing by the booth. I see the same people who just denied an opportunity to help in the Heavenly service of freeing children from poverty, come by with 30 dollars in food in their hand throughout the course of the day. I do not bring up this event to criticize but merely to show that human nature seems to want to bypass the plain and evident opportunity to serve.
While you may not be that missionary in Africa, you can be that missionary who is pen-pal/friend to a child in need without ever leaving the confines of your home, that follower of Christ who donates to a Christian cause, that follower who stands up in church and says that I will be a volunteer. You never realize before you actually pursue what is Christ-like that His way is the absolute truth to pure joy. There is no contentment as there is a need to fill and purpose to chase after. It is kind of funny really, how the smallest thing you do can make the biggest significance to others. For instance, I often see so many in the church not willing to PRIASE God with their voice in worship service. I can say from a personal experience with the youth ministry I serve in currently, that through the loud praise I have given to God (often looking dorky), other middle school students have been willing to sing praise to our God!! Some have even stated it made them feel more comfortable in worship! I am telling you, you are significant and there are many ways in which you can leave an eternal legacy. God will use you, and just as my theme of the summer (Ezekiel 37:1-14) has continually played out, you will be awakening to bring dry bones to life! Trust in the Lord! Rejoice! There is a purpose and a mission! So go out there and attack it!!
Finally, I just want to send a special thank you out to all those who have given! I am immeasurably blessed to have your prayers and support on my mission trip! You are a true light in my life and it will certainly extend to all those in whom I come in contact with while I am on the World Race. For anyone who is reading this, I wanted to give you an update. I am at close to $4,700 dollars right now and need $7,500 by December to launch on the World Race! Please prayerfully consider partnering with me in prayer, as well as financially! Thank you again for being the one to make this mission trip possible!!
