Your Mission Field (Luke 8:38-39)

Luke 8:38-39

38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

            What does God call you to do in order to rightly serve him? What kind of missions is God calling you to? Is he calling you to take the gospel overseas? Maybe. Is he calling you to go to a hard-to-reach people group in your country? Maybe. Is he calling you to the inner city? Maybe.

            But do not forget that God’s call on your life might be very similar to the man above. You remember the story, don’t you, of the demoniac that Jesus drove the “legion” of demons out of? Those demons went into the pigs on a nearby hillside and caused a massive bacon famine [borrowed Joke]. The demoniac, for his part, was thrilled that Jesus had done this. He asked to get in the boat with Jesus and travel across the sea of Galilee with him. But Jesus did not let that man leave his hometown. Instead, Jesus sent him back to his home, to his family, to his neighbors. He told this man to just tell people what God had done for him.

            There is no doubt that you are called to share the gospel and make disciples. The Great Commission is a command that applies to us all. But maybe your main calling is to fulfill the Great Commission at home. Maybe you are supposed to see to it that the people in your town have heard the gospel. Maybe you are to see to it that the people from other nations who live near you know about Jesus. Maybe you are to share the gospel with friends and neighbors as God gives you the opportunity. Maybe you are supposed to raise children to value Christ more than local sports accolades or even scholastic achievement.

            Today, maybe you should put on your own life the command that Jesus gave the newly saved man. Today, tell somebody you know and love about how much God has done for you. Today, help someone around you to know that Jesus is real. Today, look for a window in a conversation that you can open to spiritual truth. Today, show Jesus’ love and kindness.

            Lord, would you make me a faithful missionary at home? Would you help me to live the gospel in front of friends and family. Yes, I will happily go to the nations when you let me. However, if you keep me in my own town, would you help me simply tell the truth of Jesus to someone this day?