As I was on a run last week, I found myself really wishing I could be back in Thailand or getting to experience Malaysia for the first time this month in the way I had greatly anticipated. So, what did i do, well I complained to God, “Why do I have to be here right now?” I’m sure I sounded like a whiny two year old…real mature kyndal.
For the last year and half it felt like I was finally living out Matthew 28:19-20. “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” I literally got to GO to 13 other nations and had the privilege to be a part of making disciples and seeing others walk that out as well. I felt like my life was all wrapped up in this verse- Every. Single. Day.
I learned how to LIVE ON MISSION- “life is ministry and ministry is life.” (Thanks World Race)
SIDE NOTE: just because you go on a “mission” trip does not mean you area actually living missionally. It’s a choice you have to make constantly. You wake up and ask yourself, “Will I choose to live today for myself or to serve the kingdom?”
So what now?? I’m home and literally can’t GO to other nations. My heart to be out on the “field” is so strong. To be honest, I felt so in my element in the last year and half. Who woulda thought I could love it so much, but MAN, I LOVED IT!
When I go on my runs, I’ll hear planes passing over my head, and I feel this yearning to be in it. Sitting in that small space, 30,000 feet in the air, for 15+ hours can get old real fast. BUT when you know that it is allowing you to get to cross into borders and step into new cultures all around the world- it’s truly a GIFT. Airplanes might just be my favorite invention of mankind yet, but that’s just me…
I saw travel as a gift, not just because you get to see all these cool places and have all these fun memories, but because it awakens something inside you, or at least it did for me. The more I stepped out of my comfortability, and into the unknowns, I become more aware. Aware of how small I am, how the things I used to be so concerned with seem irrelevant, how broken the world is and how broken I AM. It’s one of the hardest and most beautiful things. You lose yourself and find The Father, Friend, King, Redeemer, Savior, Comforter all wrapped up in ONE.
So as I was running the other day, I kept going to God with…”God, you know I love to just GO, you know how much I don’t want that part of my life to end…so what am I suppose to do right now??”
And His response…”You CAN GO… You can GO to your neighbor. You can GO be with your family. You can GO encourage your friends with chocolates and flowers. You can GO send letters to bring connection. You can GO get a job and make that your mission field. You can GO and make the most of your time at home. You can GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NEIGHBORS.”
Woof…thatgotme.
If you’re familiar with the Bible you know that Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission that Jesus gave his disciples right before he went to be with his Father in Heaven. This weekend we got to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift that he gave us- Freedom and Forgiveness of ALL or sins, AMEN & AMEN!!
One thing Jesus did before leaving Earth was leave his disciples (us) with a mission. These were his last words. Jesus didn’t raise from the dead, and gather the disciples to tell them how they could make up for the sacrifice he had just given all mankind, that was FREE. We didn’t deserve it but he gave it to us anyway, because he LOVES US UNCONDITIONALLY.
What Jesus wanted to do was INVITE them (us) into what he had started- Building the Kingdom here on Earth, by “making disciples of all nations…” We weren’t created to just live for ourselves, we are created to live for and build up the kingdom!
One more thing- When I read verse 19 and see “Go and make disciples…” That sounds like a start. Like I’m at that starting line and hear the gun shot to signal “GO!” There’s a beginning point. But actually, how this verse was intended to be understood was, “as you are going, make disciples of all nations…” So as you are going/living/breathing/doing all the things you should be living on mission to make disciples. When you begin a race you know there is a finish line. Yes, there is technically a finish line- it’s when we step into heaven. But we don’t know when that will be for each of us. So don’t quit early, but also don’t delay! Continuously remember this passage. THIS IS OUR MISSION. This is our mission even when we are quarantined. It never stops!!
This was encouragement I needed to hear and I just wanted to share! I may be home, but I am not off the mission field, I never will be. As I am going through life I will seek to make disciples, whether it’s in Texas, Georgia, Guatemala, middle of nowhere in Ethiopia, Thailand, or who knows where!?
Don’t let the lack of going right now stop you. Remember “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 (the entire chapter is one of my faves and is a great read for right now.) We are never lacking with the Lord. Let him open your eyes to the many opportunities YOU DO HAVE TO GO! Right. Now.
Love and Miss you all. Hope this is a sweet time with family and friends. And honestly pushing you all closer into the Father’s arms right now.
Kyndal
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2
Prayer Requests:
– my sister will be having her baby soon, so health and peace for their family!
– health and protection for EVERYONE.
– continue trusting the Lord with my future.
– my squad and the many other missionaries who are processing the transition of being home so suddenly.
