Step Back and See What is Important

This post is as much for myself as it is for anyone reading it.

Last week's missions conference at Marion Avenue Baptist Church showed me what was important. I saw people from all walks of life, whether they be a successful Fortune 500 businessman or an alcoholic who was a bad husband until he was presented the Gospel and chose to turn his life over to Christ, living for the work of Jesus here on earth. One thing that was true was the calling to help save souls across the world and here at home. Our assistant pastor told me that as a young man, he saw missionaries as heroes. I didn't know what he meant until I met this group of people at our missions conference. God has truly chosen them to help save others.

I didn't get it when a friend of mine told me she wanted to return to Mexico to help minister to other young ladies for a month and a half later this year, until I talked to these missionaries. It isn't about wanting to go to exotic places or experience other cultures, although that is part of the experience. It is about wanting to see as many people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus as is possible in our limited time here on earth. It is about being the salt and light Jesus called us to be.

I think this is where many so-called Christians miss the boat. The Great Commission was go and tell the world about Jesus. That world includes your neighbors, friends, relatives and people you meet in the course of normal life. It doesn't take someone special or gifted to do it either. It takes each one of us who call Jesus our Lord to just do our job.

Matthew 28:18-20King James Version (KJV)

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15-20King James Version (KJV)

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Romans 10King James Version (KJV)

10 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Two things are pounding themselves into my consciousness right now. The still small voice of God is louder than I've ever heard. I need to be more aware and willing to share my faith with those around me who I know aren't Christians and I need to be willing to surrender myself to serving the Lord in full time missions, if I'm called to do so.