Yesterday in church we talked about missions. Our pastor is truly led by the Lord and he always manages to capture my heart during his sermons.
We talked about mission trips that groups from the church were taking and a husband/wife missionary couple spoke to us about the work they were currently doing in Guatemala. But we also talked about the mission work that can be done right HERE...in our own city, with our own people. One of the major points in the sermon was that mission work can be anywhere. We don't have to go to a foreign country to be disciples of the Lord. We should be missionaries and disciples right here, in our neighborhoods, our schools, our jobs, our grocery stores...everywhere. In fact, as Christians we are actually commanded to do so!
We focused on this verse during the sermon. This is God commanding us to GO and make disciples of all of his people. It doesn't say "some should go" or "a few will go," it just says go. Obviously God doesn't call everyone to a life of mission work in a foreign country, but He does call us ALL to a life of mission work wherever we may be.
And it's definitely not easy. I'm not saying that. I feel like I'm terrible at witnessing for God. I get really awkward and say things that sometimes don't make sense. And I guess I've kinda used that as my excuse. As in "I'm not good at witnessing, it's not my calling." Well, guess what Meg (yes, I'm referring to myself in the third person), total wake up call today. Whether I feel good at it or not, I am called to GO in the name of God, to share in the name of God, to do whatever I can to save others in the name of God.
A nursing school mission trip to Mexico.
I think this service really hit me today because lately I have been feeling God telling me that I could do more. I have felt convicted and moved, but I haven't really been sure of what He is telling me to do, so I've just kinda ignored the feeling. And while I don't feel called to go overseas to do mission work, I do feel called to do something right here, right where I live, among people I know, among my family and friends, my neighbors, and my coworkers.
During the end prayer, the pastor encouraged all who were feeling moved/convicted by God to go up to the altar and pray for His guidance and to commit to doing whatever He was leading us to do. I stood there, praying silently, listening to the pastor, and I thought, "No need to walk up there to the altar, I can commit to listen to God right here. I can commit to go wherever He leads me right here." I mean, after all, we were sitting in the back and the altar was WAY up front.
And then the pastor said, "The hardest step may be this step up to the altar. If you can't commit to walking to the front of the church, how can you commit to following God blindly where He may lead you?" Wow. Was that line directed at me or what, right?! : ) So there I went, heart racing, up to the altar. I got on my hands and knees and I just prayed, "Lord, I'm not sure what you want me to do, but I'm here. I'm ready. I want to do it. Show me. Guide me." And I also said a little thanks that I had put leggings on under my dress since I was on the floor. ; )
I'm not sure where God will lead me, but I know that I want to go wherever He leads me to.
Is God leading y'all to do something? To GO somewhere? To just be more of a witness at home?
Y'all pray for me please...and I'll pray for y'all.
Love, love!
50 comments:
Right on, right on! You couldn't have written this better! This was super inspiring :)
I love this post! I'm so thankful you can share your heart here. I'm not very good at sharing my faith with others (especially REAL LIFE PEOPLE, haha!) but I try and lead by example. I feel like God's been calling me too to do some more. Anyway, I could definitely say a whole heap more on this subject and I actually ended up deleting most of my comment that had turned into its own little blog post! Thank you for sharing is what I wanted to say in a round about way :)
So good that you went up front! It's not easy to know what to do, but this first step might lead you to a whole new chapter in your life :)
Praying for you!!
So good that you went up front! It's not easy to know what to do, but this first step might lead you to a whole new chapter in your life :)
Praying for you!!
Wow - thanks for the challenge. There are so many lost people just walking the same streets as us and we need to start there!
Thanks. X
this is amazing. I love that little tug at your heart you get when you feel as if the Lord wants you to do something. It makes you feel wonderful. I would love to go somewhere on a missionary trip, or I would also love to help within my own community. You have inspired me to take action and bring up some topics in Sunday School next sunday! :)
I feel the same way hun. I never feel like I am doing enough. Your picture from the missions were so sweet. I have not gone and done missions in quite a long time and I really need to start doing more than just writing about my faith! :) Praying for you!
I think that even by putting your faith out there on this blog for the world to see is something. And you are being so open and honest as well which is a gift.
I'd be willing to be you have already influenced many more people than you know : )
I agree with you so much! I love this, God is always calling for us to serve him! What a great and inspiring post! I'm so glad you had the courage to go up there!
This is such a wonderful and inspiring AND true post! Thanks so much for sharing and I can't wait to see where God takes you :)
xoxo
Jenna
very inspiring megan!!! i went on a couple mission trips when i was in high school. they were so awesome! but my church doesn't do those any more. (lack of young people in church) but my aunt is on a mission trip right now is africa, she goes all the time. she is so inspiring to me! :)
great post!!!
Megan I loved this. I too have been in church a few times when our pastor (who I LOVE) has asked the same thing, for those who feel led to go up to the alter and pray/have someone pray with you. I have never gone yet, I just stay in my seat and pray silently, but I always peek and see other people going up there, and I secretly wish that I would have the courage to go up there too, and I swear, your blog posts just always inspire me to do things like this!!
and to do mission work right where I am, in my hometown, I go to a Bible Study every Wednesday and that subject has been brought up a lot. I may bookmark this post so I can come back for encouragement when I need it. LOVE YOU!! and I will definitely pray for you also!
Wow. What a powerful post. I'm not a good witness for Christ either. Why is it that I can talk your socks off about everything else but I clam up when talking about God? I'm sure your post was meant for me to read. I needed to read this and realize that God wants us on his side and he wants to be talked about! Thanks for posting it.
oh megan...God is certainly working through you! i love reading these types of posts - expression of faith in God! you certainly touch A LOT of people with these beautiful and inspiring words! thank you very much for sharing! and, i will def pray for you! :) have a great day doll!!
Good for you, Megan! Such an inspiring post about your moment in church. I'm glad you're so open to it all.
Such wonderful thoughts! I love the pictures of your mission trips. I'm convinced they change our lives for good!
That is amazing. Don't you love when God calls you?? I've been feeling more convicted to do more! I know I don't do near enough so I'm looking for ways that I can. Praying for you!
great post! Hubby & I want to go on a mission trip, whether it be near or far, very soon! Guess we probably need to wait until baby girl arrives! ha!
Thank you for posting this...I needed to hear this this morning. You are wonderful!
So nice to recognize the need for it HERE. I feel like more often than not we're forgotten among our Christian brothers and sisters.
I have never ever felt called to do a missions trip or anything, or even participate around here. Always wondered 'what's wrong with me' but I know God has something for me, just don't know what that is.
I feel Him lead me to do things at times, but nothing full fledged like this.
Praying for you Meg, and thankful you wore leggings too. ;)
Emily at Amazing Grapes
I just love this.
Sometimes the hardest answer is "Yes" in this "No" world.
Congrats! I hope you'll share your journey :o)
Ahhh, this just speaks to my heart:-) Daniel and I both feel called to full-time missions someday...whatever that looks like, we'll see! Until then, we know we are here in this city, building community, living intentionally/relationally with the people around us! Which is definitely a challenge in itself, no matter where you are in the world. xoxo
I think the most powerful thing we can do is constantly challenge ourselves to be better people. Congrats or taking that on!
i couldnt agree more with this megan! i feel the same...that i havent done exactly what i should be doing
when i pray usually say i hope i am on the right path, doing the right things, and hoping God will lead me to do something more
i loved this megan :-) i felt really connected and can relate to this exact feeling
xoxoxo
So so true girly. I think that a lot of the times we ignore the mission work that can be done in our own backyard. I have also been feeling like God wants me to do something about it. And even though I haven't felt that I've been called to one specific thing, I've started doing a bunch of different ones (Her Story was part of that call for me actually). I think the key is just starting somewhere. Anywhere. And then God will take care of the rest. Thanks for this great reminder today :-)
So inspiring...thanks Meg! It's so important to remember that we can start in our own cities. It reminds me of the song, God of our City. (not sure that's the exact title (: )
Yay for you! I know how hard it would've been for me to make that walk. I'll be praying for you for sure. I still don't know if I'm doing what God wants. A couple of years ago I felt the calling to do something. We have a ton of ministries at our very large church but it was still difficult to find something I felt like I could contribute too. I'm now a coordinator for our Socially Responsible Christmas & I really enjoy it! Good luck to finding your calling.
Praise God! My church is very supportive of missions - all different kinds! Which is a bit surprising since there are under 200 people in our church. My pastor and his family (wife and 2 daughters) are in the process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia! He really encourages adoption and the care of orphans. Several families in my church have either adopted or are in the process of.
Also a few of my friends have felt called to missions work after high school and are now in Honduras!
But it's always amazing to do stuff in your own town. God can always do amazing things when you trust in Him!
(sorry for the uber long comment ;)
So inspiring. You are such a blessing! Definitely in my prayers!
I think it's the simple small things...you could use posts like this to minister in many different ways! Good luck friend:-)
This is a fantastic reminder. I find myself with little reminders here and there throughout that days and weeks that make me realize we truly are here to serve. And in all actuality, that's what makes life worth living: serving others and God. hugs blogger friend!
Aw! What a nervous/exciting time! I'll be praying for you! You will be so blessed by whatever it is.
great post!!
We've been talking about this too, in my bible studies. Having boldness. About seeing where you are now, and the people you're with now as your mission field. Yes, there are needs in Africa and India and all ends of the earth...including in your own neighborhood. One of the pastors that used to be at my church always closed sunday worship by sending everyone out to be the best Jesus someone would see that day. I liked that message a lot!
What an amazing experience!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!
AMEN chickadee! While I have had this revelation for a while, thanks to my awesome church really laying it out as a foundation, I am still working out what that looks like in my everyday life. God hasn't called me to a foreign country, He's called me here. I am learning that being a good friend to those around me, especially those who don't know Jesus, is a great place to start. Our church started a ministry called "adopt-a-block" and we go every week to our block and bring food and hang out with people who live in the poorer areas of where I live. Start by looking around you and figuring out your passions. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how God can open doors pretty quickly to use you even when you don't feel up to the task! Remember, He's called so He equips! Can't wait to hear your stories about how you GO. :)
Love this. Love YOU. God has told me over and over that right now the blog world is MY mission field. I can feel that he is calling me to share my stories and my heart and to let him work through me... even through the ugly, not so fun things. I am so proud of you for walking up to that alter. I know the feeling. And I know how much the blessings flow when you submit to him! Praying for you girl!! You can be such a bright light!!
Awesome blog, as usual, Megan! I have been dealing with the same thing in my life---it's hard to think of your every day life as a mission field, but like you said, it just says GO, not "some" or "a few".....everyone!
I don't know if you've ever read a blog called Jamie the Very Worst Missionary, but she does a series called Missionary Positions (catchy, right?) and it's all about people finding their own missions in their every day lives. Last week was about a real estate agent. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/
Thanks for sharing!
~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com
LOVE this! It's really been on my heart lately to find ways to serve others.. and this just motivates me more! I can't wait to get home and get to work!!
Absolutely. Incredible. MEG!!!!!!! I am so, so proud of you for walking up there!! That always seems like the hardest part!! I am always so jealous of the people brave enough to go up there! And what's funny is you really are so GOOD at witnessing! Christ is revealed through you on this blog and people recognize that there is just something different about you! I know what you mean about feeling awkward when you're sharing Jesus... but I think the only way to get better is to practice! Haa, I just told myself that the other day with that old man! When we're driven by eternity and realize that we all have to face Jesus when we die, we can't help but share Jesus! He is the only thing that matters!! Hahaha, ok, done preaching. Sooooo proud of you. Soooo glad we are real life friends. Soooo glad we get to share eternity together. :) At least we will get to be neighbors there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Taking that first step is hard, but now that you have, you know you can do it!
Well put, sweet friend. I have felt for a long time that I was meant for something more as far as giving of myself in service to others but I need to get on my knees and go after it!
I love your faith :) you are a good person!
this is why i love your lil blog miss megan. i am praying for you right now :-) you are such an inspiration. i have been trying to find new ways to serve and follow in my own community. so proud of you darlin...walking up to that alter- now that stuff takes guts. you go girl!
I love missions I was able to go to Peru a few years ago and it was such a great experience! We are all called even if it doesn't mean going anywhere. Maybe yours is here on your blog ;) Praying for you and where God may lead you!
Great post! I think sometimes we ignore God because we are scared of what he might ask us to do. Great reminder that it really doesn't matter if we're scared because He's called us to do it!
Great post! Such a reminder that we need to listen to God all the time...even when we are unsure of where He is leading us!
seriously love your heart. you are so inspirational! thanks for writing, sweet friend :)
I love your blog! Just finished reading your love story - so adorable! Ever since getting married, I cry at any love stories! :) My husband asked me to be his girlfriend too. It was so cute :)
Also love that you have the great commission in your posts. Seriously, it's missed so easily yet our instructions are clear!
Peace, Stephanie
I am your newest follower and I totally feel you with this!! I have something more that I can do, I just don't know what it is yet...my time will come!
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