Proclaiming the Good News
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” ~ Luke 24:45-49 (ESV)
I have always admired missionaries; short-term and long-term. Laced with Grace team-members Angie, Kathy, and Laurie went on short-term mission trips this year. Marsha’s daughter and her family are long-term missionaries in Africa. I have a close friend who served many years in Taiwan…Oh what adventures to share the Good News of God’s redemption through Christ Jesus with the ones who do not know Him.
As I was reading about the adventures of my friends I thought about my own mission. What is my mission field? Where does God want me to go? Maybe it is not far away like Kenya, Honduras, or Taiwan. Maybe my mission is just around the corner; in my own backyard.
When Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem, He first offered peace to them (Luke 24:36). After He explained again that He had to suffer in order to free every soul from sin, He commissioned His disciples to proclaim the Good News to all nations. What encourages me though is that Christ said to “begin in Jerusalem.”
Yes, my heart longs to go on a mission trip (maybe the Far East). Right now I admire and support my missionary friends, but I will share the Good News in this place where I live. My mission is my next door neighbor, my struggling co-worker, the clerk at my local grocery store, my hurting friend in town. And maybe one day God will see it fit to send me across the ocean.
“I’ll be a carrier of love and compassion – I’ll be the carrier of light to the world. I’ll be a carrier of hope and salvation – I will go shine Your light to the world. I will go shine Your light to the world” ~ Jared Anderson
Lord of Heaven and Earth, You give us all a mission field; some are near and some are far. Lord, help us to be a light to the world. May we carry Your hope to the ones that are hurting, physically or emotionally. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson
Iris, I love this post! What an awesome reminder of being mindful of our mission field being right around us.
Thank you, dear friend.
Hi My Friend,
I am like you. I have never felt the yearning to travel abroad for missions. Every time I ask the Lord about it, He says you have your mission. Keep doing what your doing.
Great post my friend. Have a wonderful Friday. Love you. Lynn
Iris, this is something that I so agree with you on. I have cousins who are missionaries in Belize and Taiwan. Sometimes I’ve felt bad that I couldn’t be out there spreading the Good News to every nation.
And yet, God has placed me in my sphere of influence. I have a mission field right in my home. And I have neighbors and relatives who are still not believers. I have plenty of ripe fields.
This was such a good post and an encouragement for those of us who remain at home and in our communities.
Much love,
Debbie
Iris, thank you for reminding us to share the good news of Christ right here at home. I was just remarking to someone the other day that sometimes it’s easier to share the Gospel when we are far away from home. You’ve challenged me to be just as bold every day!
This is close to my heart, Iris, as I have struggled with the desire to do mission work abroad…only to hear God tell me it is not my time yet. This affirmation came with a renewed sense of commitment to the place He has put me right now.
Very well said. Thank you for this!
Iris, I’m with Laura, aching to go to foreign soil someday.But it isn’t time yet. Your post reminds me I can go about the Lord’s business right where I’m at. Thank you. So encouraging for me today.
I have felt the same things Iris. Like you, I know that the Lord has placed me here for this time. There are mission fields all around us, and I’m thankful you reminded me of this today. So beautiful.
Iris, this is such a beautiful post. I too struggled at times, wondering if I’d missed out on something, but God has shown me how vital it is to be a missionary in my own home to my unbelievingly husband, and to my children. If we were all called to go abroad, who would be left to do the work right around us? I just love how God uses each of us right where we are.
Iris, what a blessing to serve God wherever He calls and chooses. Last year- I had a desire- a passion- a dream. Kept secret from others- yet not hidden from Him! And this year- He blessed me with sponsors who enabled my feet to walk the dirt streets of a little village in Honduras- where children need to hear about a Savior who lived and died for them.
But in our own cities across this Nation, there are still those who don’t know. When I think of those children born into families who do not attend church- who do not teach them of Christ’s sacrficial Gift of Life eternal- my heart breaks as it did for those in Honduras.
They are our neighbors-these untaught children.
We can begin in our own city. Cookies-sweet tea and Jesus!
Backyard Bible School! The possibilities are endless.
God will indeed grant you the desires of your heart-because the line up with His!
He is already showing me the next path and the next steps. I just have to follow and obey.
I love you girl and love this post!
Iris, I love it! Even though I have gone on numerous mission trips to other countries, I have always had a special spot in my heart for doing mission work right here in our own country. So many needs, but few willing to obey. Your post is certainly an encouragement and a reminder that we have ALL been called to be Ambassadors for Christ. I love you and am so blessed to be on His team with you! 😀
That is a beautiful post, Iris! And so true! There is a church in town that has a sign facing you as you leave the parking lot. It reads, “You are now entering the mission field.” What a beautiful concept! Our mission field is both near and far…wherever God sends us and to whomever God brings before us. Thanks for sharing your heart!
Living for Him, Joan
I always feel a stirring in my spirit when people share about recent mission experiences and wish I could have gone too. But, I think you’re right. We have to see our mission HERE first before we can have a mission somewhere across the globe. And sharing truth here isn’t any different from sharing truth somewhere else. It’s all God’s work.
“I will share the Good News in this place where I live.”…amen…it’s the very LEAST we all can do….
I really enjoyed this beautiful post my friend. I join you in the precious prayer, love you.
You know the foreign field is next door to me. I have neighbors that I’ve never been into their homes or told them about Christ’s love for them. How can I go across the seas if I won’t go across the street.
Great post….thank you.
I am very interesting and exciting to know with the Christ’s workers like you. i am from Myanmar and now studying GOd’s word in India.
Thanks God for your faithfulness,
In HIm,
Daniel T. Mang
Iris, thanks for the encouragement to serve right where we are. So many days I long to serve Him elsewhere but I know that he wants me to make the place where he has placed me my mission field.