As part of the men’s ministry, our church had a Men’s BBQ Fellowship in September. The speaker was an 17-year-old university student. Matthew shared with the 160 men present that his goal was to become a missionary pilot. To further that goal while he finished the next few years of college, Matthew took a six-week internship in the Philippines with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention this past summer. The internship cemented his desire to be both a missionary and a pilot.
Faith in Everyday Places
One of the things Matthew stated that resonated with me was that, as Christians, our lives are mission trips. As a Christian, it would be easy to compartmentalize my life. The sacred stuff goes on Sunday and Wednesday, at any special church event, and when I do my daily quiet time. The rest of my life is “Steve time.”
I knew I was on a mission trip when I went to Prague this summer to help with a Christian camp. But I was also on a mission trip when I was on vacation last month in Asheville, North Carolina. The people in the city were still recovering from Hurricane Helene and needed the hope that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. And I am on a mission trip every day at home in Raleigh, North Carolina. My neighbors, family, and people at the stores where I shop need to hear about Jesus.
To view my life as a mission trip, I simply need to see that the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 isn’t just for mission trips, but for everyday life. In other words, my entire life should be a testimony to the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives.
This is much harder than a secular-sacred division of my time. Imagine if I viewed every moment in my life as a chance to show Christ’s love. Whatever I say on social media, when I interact with friends, and when I play with my grandchildren. But also, when I shop, pick up a prescription, or see my doctor.
Life as a Movie Trailer
The senior pastor of our church, while preaching on James 2, worded the challenge this way. We’re like the streaming service trailers we see when we’re bored and scanning for something to watch. If you like the trailer, you’re likely to watch the movie or show. If you don’t like the trailer, you will quickly move on.
People see our lives, our social media posts, and how we treat others, and quickly decide whether they want to find out more about what drives us. Are we kind to the hostess in the restaurant? Do we respond with anger when someone cuts us off on the highway? Do we angrily go after others who disagree with us on social media, saying things we’d never say to them in person?
Matthew’s talk at the BBQ Fellowship and our pastor’s sermon brought to mind this quote from D.L. Moody – “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him.”
I thought of those people whose lives embodied the quote – people who, once they were saved, were 100% living and sharing their faith. People like Mother Teresa, the Apostle Paul, and Billy Graham.
Perhaps you’ve been fortunate to have people like that speak directly in your life. I count it a blessing that I know Desta, who is training missionaries in Ethiopia to reach their continent for Christ. Or Bobby, who established Christian camps in Kenya that now reach 25,000 children each year. Or Glenda, who is in her 80s and yet still helps with AWANAs each week.
We may think of these folks as “Heroes of our Faith,” belonging in the Hebrews 12 “Hall of Fame,” but this is what God wants from each Christian.
God isn’t just asking this of the Apostle Paul, Billy Graham, and Mother Teresa. He is asking it of me – and you, too.
Let me be like the prophet Isaiah. When he heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” Isaiah responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
May others see in us a trailer of the hope and love that only Christ can provide.
Prayer: Lord, I want my life to be fully consecrated to You.
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Steve, thanks so much for this post. Lots to consider.
Great article. Much to think about!