Tucked between the pages of my Bible for the past five years, I’ve kept just one small, glossy flyer. It’s a church bulletin insert that includes an excerpt from a Discipleship Journal article titled “Heavenly Purposes.”
Jan Johnson writes, “Jesus never made decisions the way we do: Take the job that pays more; do the ministry that’s most convenient; eat lunch with the friend who is least taxing; seize the opportunity that’s most comfortable. Instead, Jesus keeps asking us, ‘What is the redemptive thing? What is the thing I’ve called you to do? What have we discussed in our ongoing conversations? How have I loved you, and how can you pass that on?’”
This is what the Great Commission in Matthew 28 is all about. First, we don’t need to wait to be called; Jesus has commanded all believers to go!
This means we must get out of our comfortable bubbles and walk, bike, drive, or fly into the world around us. He didn’t call only those with gifts of mercy or evangelism or healing. He called you, and He called me.
And to what has He called us? He’s called us to walk the path He walked to bring the Gospel in word and action to the hurting, the broken, the enemy, the hard-to-love, the sick, the inconvenient, the uncomfortable, the taxing, the outcast, the forgotten, the isolated, the “other.”
Jesus is asking us to follow in His footsteps, to accomplish His purposes. Though we may feel overwhelmed or intimidated, He has given the gifts and help of His Spirit, His Word, and His Church. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Our Savior’s footsteps lead not to darkness or despair but to the glorious throne of God!
How and where will you bring the love of Jesus this Christmas season?
Father, we marvel that You have entrusted us with the mission of reaching the world with Your love. When the task feels too great, fill us with boldness and perseverance. May we model our lives after Yours, so there is no way to see us without seeing You.
by Katy Rogers, HOPE board member & human resources director of mpowered