Until the whole world hears

There’s been a heavy burden on my heart lately. 

One I’ve spent countless hours pondering. Reflecting on my own life and what I can do better. And after much contemplation, I decided to write out my thoughts and share them. Not to showcase that I have it all figured out, but rather to start the dialogue and encourage conversation, which will prayerfully lead to change. 

The Immense Blessings

What did I do to deserve this favor? As I stare out the window that’s been the thought running through my mind. On an overcast day, it seems bleak outside, but I’m sitting in a warm house, with enough food to last me more than a week. I have a car I can drive, a job I love and money to buy different necessities. And if I’m being honest, enough resources to buy abundantly more than I need. Possessions that will eventually take up room and become clutter when they stop working or go out of style. 

I have the option to be picky. To choose what I like and don’t like. What I want to wear or eat. How I want to decorate my living space. I don’t fear the conversations I have with people and who might overhear me or persecute me for it. I can walk freely down the street without an overwhelming fear of something exploding near me.

What did I do to deserve this “good” life? It feels wrong to sit in comfortability when there are so many around us who are plagued with the reminder of pain and heartache. Who can’t pick out a new seasonal wardrobe. Who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Who can’t speak the truth publicly because of the consequences if they are discovered. Who are fearing for their very lives right now. 

Convenience for the sake of comfort

We’ve become too comfortable in our lifestyle in the West. The conveniences and choices available to us at every turn. And as Christians, we’ve assimilated into the culture. Pushing off our call and what Jesus commands because it’s easier to stay on the sidelines than get our hands dirty. 

There are billions of people around the world who need the hope of the Gospel. There are men, women, and children crying out for rescue. Seeking peace. Craving justice. Wondering if this breath will be their last. 

And this is the hard truth: the very real hell they are living in right now on earth will continue for eternity if they do not hear the Good News of the Gospel and profess Jesus as Lord over their life. 

The Call

Christians, this reality should spur us on. We should not, can not, and must not be idle. We have a clear and specific call on our lives. To go into all the nations and make disciples and teach them the Word of God (Matthew 28:20 - 21).

We simply cannot afford to miss out on this call, because it is a command. If we profess to love Jesus, what are we doing to make Him known? 

Jesus didn’t have a stationary home during his ministry (Matthew 8:20). He was always working (John 5:17). Getting his hands dirty (Mark 5:24 - 34). Speaking the truth (John 6:35 - 61). Investing in people’s lives (Mark 1:16 - 17). 

And He called his disciples to do the same. 

We have the message of hope! We have the message of Life that will last for all eternity. We’ve been given abundantly more than we deserve here in the West. As a result, we should be supporting our brothers and sisters globally as they share the Good News.

There are countless times in the New Testament that believers relied on each other to supply their needs. When they went city to city to teach the Scripture, yes, they worked for their wages, but they also experienced the joy of having their needs met by believers in the city they were in. They were shown hospitality through housing, food, and clothes (1 Thessalonians 2:4 - 9; 3 John 5 - 8). 

We should feel a sense of uncomfortability with our comfortability, because this world is not our home and we need to stop living like what we acquire on earth is the best it can get. 

Let’s start living like those resources are truly God’s and not our own. 

We need to roll up our sleeves and get into our Father’s business.

Practically speaking, what does that look like? 

Invest! We are constantly surrounded by people. Develop relationships with others, which builds trust, which creates opportunity to share your heart and the hope found in Christ. 

Serve! Don’t be a spectator in church. Use your gifts, engage in ministry, and share the Gospel. 

Give! Of your time, money, and resources. We cannot take anything with us into eternity. We don’t need the newest designer item or the latest tech gadgets. We don’t need to spend hours on social media finding the latest trends and understanding the algorithm to gain more followers. 

Hebrews 3:13 says we need to encourage one another as long as it’s called today so we don’t stray away from God because of the enticement of sin.

This world says it has a lot to offer. Comfort and convenience are calling out. But we have a higher calling. We’re not meant to get caught up in civilian affairs when there is a greater battle happening. Greater than the wars we see physically around us. There is a spiritual war happening every second of every day. Good versus evil. God versus satan. 

Let’s stop sitting idle and get to work sharing the hope of salvation found in Christ because we’re dealing with peoples’ souls that will last for all eternity.