“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom it.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
God’s creative beauty needs no digital enhancement. Whether it is a sunset or field of tulips God created everything beautiful. While we seldom feel the need to enhance God’s creation in nature or the world, we go to great lengths to make His greatest creation appear more beautiful. We sometimes feel far from beautiful. Some of us even feel insignificant or useless. Remember, God saved the best for last in His creative order. When he spoke the universe into existence he said it was good. But when he created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26) He said they were created “very good” (Genesis 1:31). You are made in the image of God – His most prized creation! You are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
The world has defined beauty by mere outward appearance and has set the bar so high that really no one can reach it. There is an illusion of beauty that is illusive in this world. The fantasy-like images the world portrays as beautiful are in actuality far from what God calls beautiful. For example, ladies, God calls a woman who fears and loves Him beautiful. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Peter goes on to say, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4). That doesn’t mean you should avoid jewelry, nice clothes, or the beauty salon. It simply means these things do not make you beautiful. Real beauty comes from a relationship with Christ and having His characteristics. You are precious in God’s sight.
Listen, God had a plan in creating you. Even if you feel useless, ugly, or undeserving of his love, He finds you beautiful and useful. He has a plan for your life every day. Maybe you are not happy with what you see in the mirror but God is. As someone who is created in God’s image, you should take care of yourself, whether it is good hygiene, eating properly, exercising, or improving your outward appearance. But all of these cannot enhance your inward beauty. God loves and values you beyond any shortcomings or inadequacies you may feel you have. Because you are beautiful in God’s eyes, you should feel beautiful in your own eyes.
Stop trying to live up to the fleeting and false beauty standards of this world. Stop trying to mirror the beauty of those the world depicts as beautiful. You are never more beautiful than when you look like Jesus. God said in Isaiah 44:2 " I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born." Psalm 139:13-14 reminds me that God, “Created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” You are God’s masterpiece! God intricately formed every detail of you. Your worth is found in Him! You are made wonderful just the way you are. I pray you know that full well.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Just Say No
By my post title you may think I'm advocating a resurgence of an old anti-drug campaign. Granted, you should not do drugs but this post is about something that can bring greater devastation in a subtle way. I recently watched a video online of a circus performer spinning 25 plates on poles. While not is was not something you see everyday, it was quite entertaining to watch as he went from one pole/plate combination to another trying to keep them all spinning. He had his work cut out for him. I guess he got tired after he had accomplished spinning all 25 of them for several minutes. He eventually gave up and let them all fall one at a time as they lost speed. One by one plates hit the ground and broke into many pieces.
As I watched it I couldn't help but think, "This reminds me of my life." It seems like all I do is spin plates. Most of the plates are fine china. In other words, valuable projects or tasks. Others, at times, seem like the inexpensive paper goods that won't hold anything home cooked. You know the kind. They are almost worthless but somehow end up on spinners row. By the way, the world record for spinning plates is by a guy who spun 108 simultaneously. I think beat him last week.
I could run on and on or put more "spin" on my illustration but I think you get the point. How do you balance all life and ministry throw at you and not feel like a circus performer? Sure, you accomplished (sometimes halfway) many great things for the Lord and for the Kingdom but how do you balance it all right? How do you decide what to spin, what to say no to, and what to take off of spinning row?
It is different for all people. I know one of my weaknesses - I can't say no. I don't ever want to "disappoint" anyone or not be there when someone needs me. I also have a huge heart. It is hard for me to say no to anyone remotely in need. I'm a sucker for the poor, a good cause, and tear-jerker situations. I'm also a big dreamer, but an average delegater, which is usually an odd couple. Sometimes it is hard to say no because the need is real and immediate. There is also part of me that desires to accomplish great things for the Lord. I am not the kind of person who lays around on my day off (whatever that is). Heck, (did I just Christian cuss?) I feel guilty turning my cell phone off - as though the world would fall apart when I hit the off button.
So here's what I've come to. We all have plates to spin, but I've been spinning too many plates that don't deserve to be spun by me. Some of them are to be spun by others. Some of them should have never been on my spinning row. Others need to simply left alone and let hit the floor and break in to a bazillion pieces - never to be spun again - by anyone - especially me again.
My resolutions? I don't know them all but here are a few:
1. My kids. I will not neglect my family any longer, sacrificing them on the altar of ministry They seem to be the first ones I tell to wait. I refuse to have a long-distance relationship with my family 10 minutes away. What am I going to do about it? I will take my kids to school. I will be home to eat supper with them. I will not keep telling my daughter "tomorrow". I will not walk in the house with a black talking box glued to my ear anymore and ignore their pleas for attention from the most important and influential man in their lives. I will listen to their silly stories and watch peppa pig no matter how much I dislike talking cartoon animals. I will tuck them into bed every night possible. I will not miss their games, award assemblies, and fixing cereal in the morning for breakfast that never gets eaten. If anyone is going to get cheated with time it is not going to be my girls.
2. My wife. The one who so patiently and lovingly understands all of the times I have been away from home day and night fulfilling my calling as a pastor. Only she knows the demands of my ministry. I will put my kids to bed on time, turn off the TV, and engage her. I will not leave her out of the loop. I will date her once again. I will say no to those who drop their name and number (i.e. demands of ministry) my way as I keep my commitments to her. I will not give her leftovers, only throwing her the scraps of my time, conversation, and focus. I will not answer the phone everytime it rings and put her on hold in the process. She will be my best friend, a crown to my head, and lover forever.
3. My ministry. I will fulfill all God has called me to, even if it means disappointing some who call me to other things God has not. I will say yes to what I can do, delegate to those who can and should share the load (equip and train the saints for the work of the ministry), and no to the things that are time stealers. I refuse to meet with anyone else receptively who will not take my counsel seriously. I will win souls and make disciples. I will meet with people one-on-one for discipleship, training, and equipping. I will not involve myself in meaningless busy-work that anyone can do for minimum wage (not to say I am above any manual labor or task - I have done and will continue to do my share). I will not care the next time someone tells me pastors don't do anything anyway only as a shot at my character. I will be a pastor. I will lead and grow my church. I will be an elder, pastor, and teacher and let the Word and Spirit define those callings.
4. My friends. I will spend time with people for friendship sake. I will not misuse or abuse my friendships for "easy ministry volunteers" but I will always challenge them to be involved with Kingdom priorities. I will not neglect those God has called me to. I will laugh more. I will be a friend they can depend on. I will not feel guilty or be made to feel guilty about going to the occasional Razorback football game (at least I'll keep up my current pace of one every eight years).
5. Me. I will spend time daily in the Word and prayer. I will memorize more Scripture. I will grow as a leader and fulfil my commitments, being careful not to over-commit. I will take time off. I will give 110% at whatever the Lord has called me to and steer clear 110% of what He has not. I will out-work, out-serve, out-give, and out-love others - not in competition or boasting but because to whom much is given, much is required. I will not burn-out or be unproductive in ministry. I will look like Jesus.
6. You. I will challenge you and ask you to step-up. I will never ask you to compromise family. I will ask you to lead your family and involve them in ministry. I will shepherd those entrusted to me, leading them to green pasture and still water but not to fields of idleness or streams of self-indulgence. I will never ask you to do what I am unwilling to do. I will work as a team. I will thank, exhort, and encourage you.
I know I'll have more to add here and hopefully I didn't just create another row of plates to spin. These seem worth the effort though - the fine china that I refuse to allow to shatter as I relentlessly pursue them. I'm not sure how many plates I can or should be spinning but I want every turn and every plate to count. We all have plates to spin in life. Just remember the goal is to spin the right ones and not to let them spin you.
As I watched it I couldn't help but think, "This reminds me of my life." It seems like all I do is spin plates. Most of the plates are fine china. In other words, valuable projects or tasks. Others, at times, seem like the inexpensive paper goods that won't hold anything home cooked. You know the kind. They are almost worthless but somehow end up on spinners row. By the way, the world record for spinning plates is by a guy who spun 108 simultaneously. I think beat him last week.
I could run on and on or put more "spin" on my illustration but I think you get the point. How do you balance all life and ministry throw at you and not feel like a circus performer? Sure, you accomplished (sometimes halfway) many great things for the Lord and for the Kingdom but how do you balance it all right? How do you decide what to spin, what to say no to, and what to take off of spinning row?
It is different for all people. I know one of my weaknesses - I can't say no. I don't ever want to "disappoint" anyone or not be there when someone needs me. I also have a huge heart. It is hard for me to say no to anyone remotely in need. I'm a sucker for the poor, a good cause, and tear-jerker situations. I'm also a big dreamer, but an average delegater, which is usually an odd couple. Sometimes it is hard to say no because the need is real and immediate. There is also part of me that desires to accomplish great things for the Lord. I am not the kind of person who lays around on my day off (whatever that is). Heck, (did I just Christian cuss?) I feel guilty turning my cell phone off - as though the world would fall apart when I hit the off button.
So here's what I've come to. We all have plates to spin, but I've been spinning too many plates that don't deserve to be spun by me. Some of them are to be spun by others. Some of them should have never been on my spinning row. Others need to simply left alone and let hit the floor and break in to a bazillion pieces - never to be spun again - by anyone - especially me again.
My resolutions? I don't know them all but here are a few:
1. My kids. I will not neglect my family any longer, sacrificing them on the altar of ministry They seem to be the first ones I tell to wait. I refuse to have a long-distance relationship with my family 10 minutes away. What am I going to do about it? I will take my kids to school. I will be home to eat supper with them. I will not keep telling my daughter "tomorrow". I will not walk in the house with a black talking box glued to my ear anymore and ignore their pleas for attention from the most important and influential man in their lives. I will listen to their silly stories and watch peppa pig no matter how much I dislike talking cartoon animals. I will tuck them into bed every night possible. I will not miss their games, award assemblies, and fixing cereal in the morning for breakfast that never gets eaten. If anyone is going to get cheated with time it is not going to be my girls.
2. My wife. The one who so patiently and lovingly understands all of the times I have been away from home day and night fulfilling my calling as a pastor. Only she knows the demands of my ministry. I will put my kids to bed on time, turn off the TV, and engage her. I will not leave her out of the loop. I will date her once again. I will say no to those who drop their name and number (i.e. demands of ministry) my way as I keep my commitments to her. I will not give her leftovers, only throwing her the scraps of my time, conversation, and focus. I will not answer the phone everytime it rings and put her on hold in the process. She will be my best friend, a crown to my head, and lover forever.
3. My ministry. I will fulfill all God has called me to, even if it means disappointing some who call me to other things God has not. I will say yes to what I can do, delegate to those who can and should share the load (equip and train the saints for the work of the ministry), and no to the things that are time stealers. I refuse to meet with anyone else receptively who will not take my counsel seriously. I will win souls and make disciples. I will meet with people one-on-one for discipleship, training, and equipping. I will not involve myself in meaningless busy-work that anyone can do for minimum wage (not to say I am above any manual labor or task - I have done and will continue to do my share). I will not care the next time someone tells me pastors don't do anything anyway only as a shot at my character. I will be a pastor. I will lead and grow my church. I will be an elder, pastor, and teacher and let the Word and Spirit define those callings.
4. My friends. I will spend time with people for friendship sake. I will not misuse or abuse my friendships for "easy ministry volunteers" but I will always challenge them to be involved with Kingdom priorities. I will not neglect those God has called me to. I will laugh more. I will be a friend they can depend on. I will not feel guilty or be made to feel guilty about going to the occasional Razorback football game (at least I'll keep up my current pace of one every eight years).
5. Me. I will spend time daily in the Word and prayer. I will memorize more Scripture. I will grow as a leader and fulfil my commitments, being careful not to over-commit. I will take time off. I will give 110% at whatever the Lord has called me to and steer clear 110% of what He has not. I will out-work, out-serve, out-give, and out-love others - not in competition or boasting but because to whom much is given, much is required. I will not burn-out or be unproductive in ministry. I will look like Jesus.
6. You. I will challenge you and ask you to step-up. I will never ask you to compromise family. I will ask you to lead your family and involve them in ministry. I will shepherd those entrusted to me, leading them to green pasture and still water but not to fields of idleness or streams of self-indulgence. I will never ask you to do what I am unwilling to do. I will work as a team. I will thank, exhort, and encourage you.
I know I'll have more to add here and hopefully I didn't just create another row of plates to spin. These seem worth the effort though - the fine china that I refuse to allow to shatter as I relentlessly pursue them. I'm not sure how many plates I can or should be spinning but I want every turn and every plate to count. We all have plates to spin in life. Just remember the goal is to spin the right ones and not to let them spin you.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Do EVERYTHING Without Complaining and Arguing
Do EVERTHING Without Complaining
Paul gives us some wonderful advice in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.”
How much do you complain? Most people would say they complain very little but have you stopped to take a count of how much you complain and how much you rejoice? Granted, we all complain about something once in a while but a habitual complainer is someone who needs to remember Paul’s words. Adhering to Paul's words will keep you blameless and pure, looking like God’s child. When we complain, we don’t look like Christ but like the crooked and depraved generation around us.
A complainer is someone who always has something negative to say. They could be at the grocery store shopping and notice the cost of peas have gone up 20 cents. They say, “That’s ridiculous. Peas used to be half that price. I’m not buying peas or shopping here anymore!” Or, they could be driving down the road and someone is going ten miles under the speed limit. They say, “Why is this jerk going so slow? I’m in a hurry and he is so inconsiderate. People cannot drive anymore!” Sound ridiculous? Actually, sometimes people complain more than they think they do. When Paul said do everything without complaining and arguing, he meant EVERYTHING - shopping, driving, working, parenting, marriage and every aspect of life.
It sure is easier to focus on negative things instead of rejoicing about the good. I mean Paul was, in his words, being poured out like a drink offering (v. 17). In reality, he was imprisoned and about to be executed for his faith. Did he complain? Not even about the prison conditions, the “cruel and unusual punishment,” or the quality of the food in prison. He understood that his time was limited on earth and he had better get busy rejoicing about everything (Philippians 4:4).
Are you rejoicing or complaining more? There are many wonderful things the Lord has done to rejoice over. If you spend your time on them, you’ll never have time to complain. So how do we restrain the way we complain? How do we gain the voice that loves to rejoice?
Paul said to joyfully serve the Lord NO MATTER WHAT comes our way or doesn’t go our way. Did Jesus complain on the cross? We should “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Paul does not say to do what you like without complaining and arguing. He says do everything. While that seems hard, God will give you the strength and the Holy Spirit will help to shape you to the image of Christ in your words, attitude, and actions. When you stop complaining and arguing, not only will you grow to be more like Christ, the people around you will have a better day as well. I pray the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart are pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 19:14).
Paul gives us some wonderful advice in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.”
How much do you complain? Most people would say they complain very little but have you stopped to take a count of how much you complain and how much you rejoice? Granted, we all complain about something once in a while but a habitual complainer is someone who needs to remember Paul’s words. Adhering to Paul's words will keep you blameless and pure, looking like God’s child. When we complain, we don’t look like Christ but like the crooked and depraved generation around us.
A complainer is someone who always has something negative to say. They could be at the grocery store shopping and notice the cost of peas have gone up 20 cents. They say, “That’s ridiculous. Peas used to be half that price. I’m not buying peas or shopping here anymore!” Or, they could be driving down the road and someone is going ten miles under the speed limit. They say, “Why is this jerk going so slow? I’m in a hurry and he is so inconsiderate. People cannot drive anymore!” Sound ridiculous? Actually, sometimes people complain more than they think they do. When Paul said do everything without complaining and arguing, he meant EVERYTHING - shopping, driving, working, parenting, marriage and every aspect of life.
It sure is easier to focus on negative things instead of rejoicing about the good. I mean Paul was, in his words, being poured out like a drink offering (v. 17). In reality, he was imprisoned and about to be executed for his faith. Did he complain? Not even about the prison conditions, the “cruel and unusual punishment,” or the quality of the food in prison. He understood that his time was limited on earth and he had better get busy rejoicing about everything (Philippians 4:4).
Are you rejoicing or complaining more? There are many wonderful things the Lord has done to rejoice over. If you spend your time on them, you’ll never have time to complain. So how do we restrain the way we complain? How do we gain the voice that loves to rejoice?
Paul said to joyfully serve the Lord NO MATTER WHAT comes our way or doesn’t go our way. Did Jesus complain on the cross? We should “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Paul does not say to do what you like without complaining and arguing. He says do everything. While that seems hard, God will give you the strength and the Holy Spirit will help to shape you to the image of Christ in your words, attitude, and actions. When you stop complaining and arguing, not only will you grow to be more like Christ, the people around you will have a better day as well. I pray the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart are pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 19:14).
Monday, August 22, 2011
Commissioned or Decommissioned
We as the church are commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations. We should share it with those around us every day - our local mission. But we should also share it with the world - our global mission. I have been deeply burdened by this one lately. The church is and should be on fire in its local community - aggressively and passionately seeking to save those who are lost right next door and down the street. But the commission from our King goes beyond the borders of our city, past the curbs on our streets, exceeding the boundaries of our contacts. It is a global mission and sadly churches are not living out the full commission of the Gospel but have decommissioned themselves to only local evangelism efforts. It is a world-wide commission thus establishing it as truly great and us as truly humbled in need of the Holy Spirit to accomplish it.
Absolutely, make no mistake about it, the local church is to reach out to those around them - those they see and engage daily. We must make these our main priority. After all, if we do not sense an urgency to share the Gospel with those closest to us we will never share it with those far away. Our efforts to plant churches locally must increase, especially as the church in the U.S. is in great decline. We have become one of the biggest mission fields. We are empowered first, as Acts 1:8 tells us, to our immediate areas. Then, we stretch beyond that.
I can't get past this verse lately - Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." The Gospel WILL BE proclaimed in the WHOLE world to ALL nations - then the end will come. Then Jesus will return. Could he come back today? Of course. This verse does not tell us we can predict the return of Christ, only that when God the Father authorizes Christ to return, He will. And reaching people in every nation has a part to play in it. How do we know if all groups are reached? What is the defining percentage that equals "reached"? We may not know the full scope of the terms "reached" and "all people" but one thing is for certain - the end has not come so our mission is not over. I can't get past it because I am not doing it. I am burdened - repentant and humbled by those in need of Christ around me and those Christ calls me to go to globally.
I desire to share Christ with all I come in contact with. Today, I did that as I ran errands around town and came into contact with a guy at his business and another as I waited on bologna to be sliced. Tomorrow I will pray, "Lord, show me someone today who I can share You with." But I want to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth as well.
Some will say, "well, the resources, time, and energy used to go somewhere else far away will be wasted when you could just reach the masses who are not reached here." Yes. That contemporary logic is right. It will take longer, cost more money, and require more effort to go beyond us. So why not let someone else, maybe who is closer to the unreached people groups do it? Sounds like good logic but the problem is God has told me to do it and I can't ignore that.
So what do I personally do about it? Of course, I'm going to continue to lead, share, and devote my life as a pastor in this area to which I've been called. But what about those who do not know? What about those who have never heard? How will they hear unless someone tells them?
I can't get past this. My heart aches for the lost here and worldwide. There are currently over 8,500 unreached people groups in the world. These have never heard about Christ even once. About 3,600 of these unreached groups are closed meaning no one can get to them to share Christ either legally or in threat of danger/death. What about them? Can I sit idly by as they continue to be unreached, hoping someone else will do it? I can't reach them all. I can't do everything - but I can do something.
So, what am I to do personally? I'm investigating options right now (who can I support financially, who can i pray for, where am I to go, who can I partner with, etc.). I'm doing this at the same time I am sharing Christ with the locals and making disciples of people I can call by name and meet with weekly. My life and energy is given over to Christ as His pastor to those in my city and neighboring cities. This calling is sure. But Christ bids me to expand my local vision to His global one. While my local vision must expand more and more to as many cities around me, it must also reach into the uttermost parts of the world. He is Lord and King of Jefferson County and every county that touches it. I will live for Him and give everything to see that happen. I just can get past the "Go make disciples of all nations," "being witnesses to the ends of the earth," and "proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world and all nations."
What about places like Northern Yemen? It has 9 million people in it with only about 30 or so that are believers. That's the equivalent of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana combined with only those in my Life Group who are saved. If that comparison doesn't move you to see the state of urgency of world-wide evangelism/discipleship and the unsaved people groups of the world turn to Christ I don't know what will. What do we do? Who do we send? Who can we support that's going there? Where else am I supposed to go while I maintain my mission and calling locally? Our hearts and efforts must be about reaching the masses here - only when we see those around us as valuable and eternally lost without Christ will we be able to see the masses world-wide in the same way. We cannot merely go after the world when our next door neighbors and co-workers are lost. Christ has called us to those we know by name and our kid plays soccer with. These are first and foremost. But we cannot turn a blind eye to the world around us, as though only our city and locals will be in heaven (or hell).
Let me make this disclaimer that has almost lessened and crippled evangelism in the church worldwide. We don't need to merely get people anywhere, local or global, to just say a prayer and count them as saved as we pat ourselves on the back as they go live anyway they want. We must make disciples. This is only done through the local church. We must plant churches here and abroad. We must make disciples locally and globally. Then the end will come. How will we know when our task is over and we have reached the masses? Our King will return. The Sovereign Lord Who demands our glory and praise and wants all men to be saved (none to perish) will return in all His splendor and a great multitude of every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before the throne of the Lord and give Him praise. I don't know about you but that pumps me up! I want to share the Gospel to obey Him and to see more people everywhere (locally and globally) give Him glory. This is what we were made to do. This is what we were commissioned for. How Great a commission it is! Help us Holy Spirit to do it all the while we say, "even so, come quickly, Lord."
Absolutely, make no mistake about it, the local church is to reach out to those around them - those they see and engage daily. We must make these our main priority. After all, if we do not sense an urgency to share the Gospel with those closest to us we will never share it with those far away. Our efforts to plant churches locally must increase, especially as the church in the U.S. is in great decline. We have become one of the biggest mission fields. We are empowered first, as Acts 1:8 tells us, to our immediate areas. Then, we stretch beyond that.
I can't get past this verse lately - Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." The Gospel WILL BE proclaimed in the WHOLE world to ALL nations - then the end will come. Then Jesus will return. Could he come back today? Of course. This verse does not tell us we can predict the return of Christ, only that when God the Father authorizes Christ to return, He will. And reaching people in every nation has a part to play in it. How do we know if all groups are reached? What is the defining percentage that equals "reached"? We may not know the full scope of the terms "reached" and "all people" but one thing is for certain - the end has not come so our mission is not over. I can't get past it because I am not doing it. I am burdened - repentant and humbled by those in need of Christ around me and those Christ calls me to go to globally.
I desire to share Christ with all I come in contact with. Today, I did that as I ran errands around town and came into contact with a guy at his business and another as I waited on bologna to be sliced. Tomorrow I will pray, "Lord, show me someone today who I can share You with." But I want to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth as well.
Some will say, "well, the resources, time, and energy used to go somewhere else far away will be wasted when you could just reach the masses who are not reached here." Yes. That contemporary logic is right. It will take longer, cost more money, and require more effort to go beyond us. So why not let someone else, maybe who is closer to the unreached people groups do it? Sounds like good logic but the problem is God has told me to do it and I can't ignore that.
So what do I personally do about it? Of course, I'm going to continue to lead, share, and devote my life as a pastor in this area to which I've been called. But what about those who do not know? What about those who have never heard? How will they hear unless someone tells them?
I can't get past this. My heart aches for the lost here and worldwide. There are currently over 8,500 unreached people groups in the world. These have never heard about Christ even once. About 3,600 of these unreached groups are closed meaning no one can get to them to share Christ either legally or in threat of danger/death. What about them? Can I sit idly by as they continue to be unreached, hoping someone else will do it? I can't reach them all. I can't do everything - but I can do something.
So, what am I to do personally? I'm investigating options right now (who can I support financially, who can i pray for, where am I to go, who can I partner with, etc.). I'm doing this at the same time I am sharing Christ with the locals and making disciples of people I can call by name and meet with weekly. My life and energy is given over to Christ as His pastor to those in my city and neighboring cities. This calling is sure. But Christ bids me to expand my local vision to His global one. While my local vision must expand more and more to as many cities around me, it must also reach into the uttermost parts of the world. He is Lord and King of Jefferson County and every county that touches it. I will live for Him and give everything to see that happen. I just can get past the "Go make disciples of all nations," "being witnesses to the ends of the earth," and "proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world and all nations."
What about places like Northern Yemen? It has 9 million people in it with only about 30 or so that are believers. That's the equivalent of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana combined with only those in my Life Group who are saved. If that comparison doesn't move you to see the state of urgency of world-wide evangelism/discipleship and the unsaved people groups of the world turn to Christ I don't know what will. What do we do? Who do we send? Who can we support that's going there? Where else am I supposed to go while I maintain my mission and calling locally? Our hearts and efforts must be about reaching the masses here - only when we see those around us as valuable and eternally lost without Christ will we be able to see the masses world-wide in the same way. We cannot merely go after the world when our next door neighbors and co-workers are lost. Christ has called us to those we know by name and our kid plays soccer with. These are first and foremost. But we cannot turn a blind eye to the world around us, as though only our city and locals will be in heaven (or hell).
Let me make this disclaimer that has almost lessened and crippled evangelism in the church worldwide. We don't need to merely get people anywhere, local or global, to just say a prayer and count them as saved as we pat ourselves on the back as they go live anyway they want. We must make disciples. This is only done through the local church. We must plant churches here and abroad. We must make disciples locally and globally. Then the end will come. How will we know when our task is over and we have reached the masses? Our King will return. The Sovereign Lord Who demands our glory and praise and wants all men to be saved (none to perish) will return in all His splendor and a great multitude of every nation, tribe, people, and language will stand before the throne of the Lord and give Him praise. I don't know about you but that pumps me up! I want to share the Gospel to obey Him and to see more people everywhere (locally and globally) give Him glory. This is what we were made to do. This is what we were commissioned for. How Great a commission it is! Help us Holy Spirit to do it all the while we say, "even so, come quickly, Lord."
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