As a child, I wanted to take a mission trip. Each time the topic was preached on I would sit on the edge of my seat. I would see the smiling faces of the people and would dream of hugging them. I wasn’t sure how… I didn’t know when… but it was a wish I prayed on.
As I prepare to leave for the mission field in Tanzania, I came across today’s verse that speaks to mission service. Genesis 12:4 says, “Without any hesitation, Abram went.” The bravery of Abraham to pick up his entire family and move to Canaan when he was seventy-five years old was true faith. Surrounded by modern-day conveniences and being some 15 years younger, I can hardly fathom leaving all I know for nothing familiar with no hope of returning.
The mission field can be local too there are things we can do every day and people in arm’s reach to be helped… but God specifically tells us to go out into the world. Some people groups still don’t know about Jesus. Some people don’t have clean water to drink. They don’t have consistent food, either, because they’ve never really had a prolonged time in their lives where their needs were easily met because of the greed and selfishness of others.
Today I challenge all to become intentional missionaries. We are privileged to have much and still complain. We scoff and waste food and flex our right to voice our opinion. But what if we chose to see and acknowledge what’s going on past our doorstep every day…to help those on the outskirts of society and the world, who don’t know and who don’t have daily needs and a fair quality of life. Like Abram, I have decided it’s time to move for God “Without any hesitation.” Keep us in your prayer as we leave for Tanzania this weekend.
“So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.” – Genesis 12:4
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I praise You for our missionaries and mission teams. Father, thank You for allowing me the opportunity to come face to face with the people who need the gospel and who need physical, emotional, and spiritual aid. God, please forgive me for forgetting about the forgotten. Thank you for blessing me with the chance to go on mission this trip this weekend keep us safe and teach us valuable life lessons. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
