Missionary?

Did you know that you are a missionary? Wait, you may be thinking, a missionary is someone who goes to Africa or China or something, I'm not a missionary. Sorry, you are. Here's why:

A missionary is simply someone who takes seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in the way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age."

As Christians, we all have to take these words seriously, because Jesus is speaking them to us!! He uses the word commission. What is the second part of that word? Mission. He has called us all to be missionaries. So, does that mean we all have to move to Africa? No, because notice what else Jesus says. We are supposed to minister to everyone, far and near! That means unless you feel God directly calling you to a foreign country, he has called you to be a missionary right where you are.

So what do missionaries do? They live out a life that shows they are a follower of Jesus. They love everyone around them. They care for and listen to everyone around them. They try to understand people who are different than them and show them the love of Jesus. They pray that their friends would come to know Jesus. They look for opportunities to talk to the people around them about Jesus.

Sound tough? It is, but it also brings purpose to your life as you begin to do what God has created you to do. So, what kind of missionary are you?