Going, Going, But Not Gone

Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make discaiples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Today after church, Julie left home to return to Louisville, Kentucky, where she now lives while working in the missions department of Southeast Christian Church. It was a wonderful two weeks with her here. She brought two precious young ladies who were visiting Louisville from Poland. Our house was full of people, full of laughter, full of love.

It was very hard to watch her drive away, but we knew she had to leave. She has work to do, spreading the Word of God to a world in waiting.

Friday night, our family was videotaped as we talked about why we "Go!" for part of a sermon series at church. It was so encouraging to listen to each other talk about how God has placed the passion for missions in our hearts.

David Lee talked about feeling like he had finally found his purpose when he first went to Poland a year and a half ago. He had wondered why God had given him certain passions without an outlet to use them. He has found that outlet in Poland.

Julie talked about the development of her faith as she surrendered her desires to the Lord's plans. A life-long goal to be a music teacher changed with her exposure to missions. She still uses music, but now has expanded her "classroom."

Tammy talked about having a passion to share Christ that first manifested itself in her teaching. She has been teaching Sunday school for more than 30 years, and she recognizes that she may never see the results, in this life at least. But she knows she has had an impact, both in the U.S. and now in Poland.

David shared how a missions trip, and the follow-up a few years later, convinced him that missions is less about "going" and more about "serving" wherever you go.

We believe this journey is a "missions trip." We are on a journey with the Lord. We can be used as His witnesses, if we allow Him to use us. We don't know the outcome. We don't know how He will use us. We know there will be difficulties. We know there will be hardship. But as we were reminded in church today, God uses imperfect people to do humanly impossible things to accomplish His perfect will. We're just along for the ride.

God bless you all.