Relationship not project

The words, "Go in peace, serve the Lord," proclaimed at the end of most worship services is familiar language. Do we stop to consider what is meant? Some churches post signs which read, "You are now entering the mission field," at the top of their doorways. These are situated so as to be read as we leave the building. Catchy phrase for sure. Again, what is meant?

For this writer, I am beginning to understand that I am constantly on mission - or least I should be. If I take a trip to Honduras, or Haiti it is recognized as mission, but what about when I turn down my neighborhood and prepare to pull into my driveway? Do I see this place as a mission field? 

I have been on a few short-term mission trips overseas and been blessed and fulfilled by those opportunities. There is also a need to sign up for long-term mission work right at home. By allowing people access to us, we form friendships, lasting and meaningful bonds that change lives.

The things we do on Sunday morning matter because they should be preparing us for the other six days of the week. Learning about Jesus and how He loved people, how He took the time to build relationships with these people, is the example I want to follow. Not to mark another notch on my mission belt, but because every relationship I build is a new friend in my life. 

Once there is a relationship, who knows where God will take it? You may gain an opportunity to speak into their life, or maybe they will speak into yours.


To listen to the sermon by Joe Valentino on the topic of Sending, click here.

Matthew 22:37-39

Mission work: for the dogs

I am not sure why, but when I hear the words, mission trip, I think of helping others during a time of disaster. Maybe serving others in a poor country, or providing medical assistance to underprivileged. While all these are true statements or beliefs, I realize now that there is only one real mission. We are to be about the work of Jesus; we are to become disciples who follow in Jesus' footsteps. We are To Be and To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Just the thought of being on mission is daunting, until we learn to look at it as life; our life as a Christian. It can be complex, but it can also be as simple as this scenario:

Walking my dog affords me the opportunity to get to meet people I never might have had I not stepped off of my street and began the trek around the block. I met a number of new friends, but one stands out today.

A few weeks ago one of these acquaintances (who walks a golden retriever), shared with me that his mother was hospitalized. After speaking with him a bit, I asked her name and said I would pray for her. And I did. A couple weeks later I saw him and inquired about his mom and he shared she had been released from the hospital and felt much better.

Every time I saw him I would ask after her. One morning, as A.J. (my yellow lab) and I walked past his house, he came outside and shared that his mother died that evening. I thought it incredible he would want to share that with me, after all, we were almost strangers. I am convinced that the offer of prayer for his mother moved us from strangers to friends in the making.

There are more 'dog walking' stories of Jesus nudging and encouraging me to be on mission all the time. Proof for me that our mission field is often our own backyard.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10 NIV)