Right Where You Are

Being a missionary doesn't only mean that you go to a place where people have never heard the gospel and preach, according to the dictionary, a missionary is simply: a person sent on a mission. Pretty simple, right? You don't have to be sent by a church, organization, or even just a group of supporters, you just have to be sent and then, go! And you can't pull the “but I haven't been sent” trick, because that doesn't work. If you are a believer then Jesus has already commanded you to “go!” (Matthew 28:18-20) You have been sent! That is what this magazine is all about – helping you get the information that you need to get involved in missions, encouraging you, and inspiring you!

God has placed you right where you are for a reason, for a purpose. You are a missionary. You are a light in a dark world. You are different than the rest of the world. So act like it. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” That is no suggestion, it's not even a challenge, it's more than that: it's a command. When you become a believer, you become like a city set on a hill, no matter how hard you try, if you are a true believer then you will not be able to hide your faith! “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” (–John Wesley)

The great missionary to Africa, David Livingstone, once said: "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" We should not only live our lives for Him, but want to live for Him! If we are true believers, then He should be first and foremost. He should be our greatest joy, and we should be happiest when in the center of His will and proclaiming His Name. As Livingstone said, “how can a commission (or mission) by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?” Anything done for God should be considered not only an honor, but a privilege! “To know you [God] is to want to know you more!” (–Casting Crowns)

Seeing that, we should be able to proclaim His Name joyfully and courageously among our peers with ease, right? Most of you are probably laughing, or shaking your head in disbelief. "Faith makes things possible, not easy." (-Unknown) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) "Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same." (-TheFray)

Remember the article last month, about standing up for what is right? As I wrote there, it's hard, sometimes really hard, to do what is right, to stand up when everyone else is sitting down. But Paul wasn't God, he was just a human being, just like us, and if he learned that he could do all things through Christ, then so can we. God gives us the strength and courage we need to do what's right. So we need not ever be afraid; for “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:36)

With this encouragement, what will you do? Will you stand out? Will you become a missionary at your school? At the grocery store? At the post office? Everywhere you go? Will you be a shining light in a dark world? Will you live for Christ?