"The Harvest Truly Is Great"

So I'm about 10 days out from leaving for my mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

I honestly have so many emotions and things cramming into my head right now that I can't even make sense of them all.

I'm excited...super excited!  I've never been on a mission trip out of the States before.  I've never used a passport- I might do a happy dance when they stamp that bad boy.  But while a stamp in my passport is super awesome, it isn't the reason for my ultimate excitement.  I am overcome with joy and excitement for the work that God is preparing me and our team for. 

"Then he said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  - Luke 10:2

The harvest is great my friends!  The people of the Dominican Republic need to hear the hope that is our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are called to go!  The "laborers are few"- we must go...

If we don't.  Then who will?

I think so often we think that the great commission from Jesus right before he ascended to heaven to "Go" was meant only for the apostles, or only for people called to be full time missionaries, or only for pastors, but the truth is- it was spoken to all of us.  If we truly are Christians it was meant for Me and You.

I don't think this means that we all have to rush out and get our passports.  Although imagine the great and mighty work God could do if we all summited to the call to sale all of our possessions and follow him wherever He led us?!...

But maybe God isn't calling you to live in a hut, among tribes in Africa.

Instead- maybe your mission field is right in your own community.

Maybe it's your neighborhood.

Maybe it's your job.

Maybe it's the neighborhood across the railroad tracks that you avoid.

Maybe it's the homosexual community. 

Maybe it's your family.

It could be the Senior Adults where you live.

Maybe your being called to foster children.

Maybe it's, lovingly speaking up and reaching out to those that support abortion.

The point is- We are ALL being called.

I pray that as a church our hearts will be softened and our eyes will be opened to the wonderful things God has for us.  And that we would be moved by the things that move Him.

Jesus didn't see color.  He didn't see sexual orientation.  He didn't see male or female, and He didn't see age.  Rich- poor.  Sick or healthy.

What he saw was a sinful people in need of a loving, merciful, and sacrificial Savior who was willing to lay down his life for his precious children- and all he asks is that we daily take up our crosses and do the same.

One of my very favorite bands is Rend Collective Experiment (You Tube them and thank me later).  One of my favorite songs of theirs is "Build your kingdom here".  Here is my favorite verse and the chorus:

"We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You're our joy and prize
To see the captive hearts released
The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for Heaven's cause

 

We are Your church
We pray: revive this earth

Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray"

Let us refuse to waste our lives.  Let us lay down our lives for Heaven's cause.  And let us pray, as His church, that He will "Revive this Earth"!

Please prayer for me and the team going with me as we head out to the D.R. and please pray for the hearts of the D.R. people that their hearts will be open to the gospel.

Blessings,