How many times have you seen a mission trip opportunity and really wanted to go on it?? I know I have! I mean how cool would it be to travel abroad, discover a new culture, create relationships with new people, and hopefully make an impact for Christ? I know that all sounds pretty amazing to me. However, God has recently put a new perspective on my heart that I believe, as Christians, should be at the forefront of our minds: What about the people in need of the Gospel right here? 

Now I know most of you have probably heard that before but have you really taken the time to think about it? As Christians, we are holding the greatest news of all time, and yet how often do we actually proclaim it? I would say most of us answer “very rarely.”

But why is that?! Do we not truly understand the power of the Gospel? Because if we did, we would NEVER be silent. We would never just wait around for a mission trip to tell people this incredible story of Jesus, but instead, we would spread this news at every opportunity, to our friends, classmates, and coworkers no matter the cost. 
We cower at the possibility of offending someone, instead of jumping at the opportunity to be used by God and plant a seed that could lead to ETERNAL LIFE. Doesn’t that sound silly? But it’s true! I struggle with this as much as the anyone. 

So on this matter, God has really been working in my heart. 

First, he has continually opened my eyes to my many mistakes, downfalls, and imperfections. He has been showing me how great of a sinner I am, in order to display how great His grace is toward me. The more I recognize the prevalence of my innate sin nature, the more I see my overwhelming need for a Savior!! You see, God shines brightest in a dark room. By seeing I cannot rely on myself, I am able to lean on Jesus all the more. In my weakness, He is strong, and this knowledge gives me a greater appreciation for the Gospel. 
Secondly, through this growth of faith and understanding, God has given me a heart for the unbelievers around me. Right here. In Frisco, Texas. In Siloam Springs. At work. At school. Right now.  

In Romans, Paul displays how we, as Christians, should be heart broken for the unbelievers around us. 

Romans 9:2 “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people.” 

This is the mindset we should all have! We should have deep unrest at the thought of our neighbors and coworkers and friends not knowing the truth of the Gospel. Paul would rather have himself cut off from Christ than see his friends and neighbors without God. What a selfless example of a true Christ follower!! This is a way of life we all wish we had, but do not pursue because we have a flawed understanding of the Gospel. We must obtain a deepened understanding of the weight of salvation and the emptiness and pitfall that comes when we deny it. We must fully grasp the wrath of God and what we deserve as sinners, to fully understand the gravity of His saving grace. And when we pursue this knowledge along with God’s revelation, nothing should hold us back from sharing His Word. I’ve read this passage in Romans multiple times and it’s just recently weighed on me. I have the BEST news in the world written on my heart, and yet, more often than not, I am too scared to share it. It breaks my heart to admit I am scared to spread the Word of my Savior, but it’s true. This brings me great disappointment in myself, but then I return to the fact that “man, I really do need Jesus,” which brings me to my third point. 

This year, God is helping me develop a new boldness to share His Word with the people around me. He has slowly given me new opportunities to speak up, tell someone the truth, or just be an example and a difference maker. These small moments have been building up a greater boldness in my heart. Step by step, God is helping me overcome my cowardice by giving me the words to say and the opportunities to say them. I am burdened at the thought of my friends and coworkers not knowing Christ. And this new mindset is all attributed to God’s revelation in my life and Him opening my eyes to what has been right in front of me this whole time: the depth of the Gospel. 
I have found my mission field and it’s right where I am. 

Some people are called to spread the Good News abroad, but every Christian is called to share the Gospel right where we are. As Christians, we are kingdom makers!!! Do not just be a nurse or a student or a business man, but be a Christ follower who shares God’s love as a nurse or a student or a business man. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to share the Gospel abroad, take advantage of the opportunity to share the Gospel in your community and where God has placed you!! 

I pray that as Christians, we will understand the weight of the gift of salvation and never hesitate to spread that gift all for His glory and not our own!!! 

-Megs