“NIMBY…”

July 24, 2011

Radical:

“NIMBY…”

Matthew 10:5-6

The term “Mission”, as defined by Webster, means: “the act or an instance of sending.” Webster further defines mission as: “An important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel.” Spreading the life changing Message of Jesus Christ is something we have all been called to do. In Matthew 28, Christ gives us the great commission, “…go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19) Often, we see the term ‘nations’ and apply a geographical component so that in order to heed the great commission, we must travel outside our borders and share the Good News. That is absolutely true. But the term ‘nations’ actually means ‘people’. And we don’t have to travel to other countries to share the life changing Message of Jesus Christ . We should be living it out in our daily lives and sharing it  with the people in our own country, communities, and neighborhoods.

Missions is something we see as a trip abroad, building churches, shelters, homes, etc… for people of other countries. While that is true, it also means to share the Message of Christ (be missionaries) to those in our own communities. In Matthew 10:5-6, Jesus told His disciples, “…Don’t begin by traveling to some far off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try and be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.” (MSG). We don’t have to look abroad to see people who are lost, hurting, and in need of a Savior. They live on our street.

Challenge: Actively witnessing to those in our own communities and neighborhoods through our conversations, but more importantly, the way we live our lives is a difficult proposition and one many shy away from. It often seems we take the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mindset. Hey, it’s a radical undertaking because it means we must be a living testimony, a daily-living testimony, for Christ. It is easier to go abroad because to people we have never met or will likely never meet again, we can be exactly who we want them to see us as being…which is usually who we truly are. The challenge this week, and every week, is to be the person God created and look for opportunities to be a missionary at home. Because whether you believe it or not, to those you live around and interact with, you already are.

Prayer: Lord, You are sovereign. I thank You for Your grace, Your blessings, Your love, and Your forgiveness. I know You have called me to be a living testimony for You and to share Your love and message of salvation with others. I also know that means share it with people at home as well as abroad. Please help me be the witness You have created and called me to be. In my own strength, I know I fall short. Lord, please be my strength, live through me, and use me to spread Your love and life changing message.  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

For more about getting involved or supporting Servant Warrior Ministries, visit www.servantwarriorministries.org.