Jesus said to them again, ’. . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’ —John 20:21
Jesus sends us as He was sent. How was He sent? He was sent by the Father’s command. Although He was sent to those with great need, that was not the focus, the focus was the command. So it is with us. We must be careful not to focus on the needs. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .” (Matthew 28:19).
Entire segments of “Christianity” have gone astray, focused on the great needs of a hurting world. Such a focus is not only misdirected but subject to eventual frustration. We can’t fix the problems of the world. We can’t provide justice where there is none. We can’t feed every starving soul or parent every orphan child.
We can, and should, do only what we have been commanded to do. Our Lord loves and knows the problems more intimately than we do. He has the power. He alone has an overall plan to address all the needs. If we focus on the problems, we get no focus and we do no good.
“Here I am. Send me.” What direction is He giving? Not for next year or next month, but for today.
What are your marching orders for today? What are you waiting for?
Be blessed.
Nick
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