In this day and age, missions in the name of Jesus Christ is viewed as a "go and tell, go and save" appointment.
However, isn't missions much more than that?
What about your brothers & sisters in Christ? What about the afflicted, the lonely, the ones who need encouragement among you? Are they not what the heart of God is about too?
This past week, I spent time in Cherokee, North Carolina on the Qualla Boundary and it was a week of fighting for and serving God's beloved children. It was a week where no one got "saved".
"Well, what a waste" some might say but I say, "what an investment!"
We didn't go house to house praying over people, we didn't build homes for the people who don't know Jesus, we didn't hold VBS all week, nor did we have open air evangelism conferences in the middle of town – we simply served as we responded to the needs of the community and the voice of God.
We had some hands-on projects that we helped the families with and we did pray over them, however alignment with God's desires looked like spending time with them, sharing in their lives, playing 'war' with the kids, getting dirty, dreaming with them and listening to their hearts.
In James 2, you can read where it says, "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" (James 2:15-16) We must not neglect our brothers and sisters which we share in Christ with.
Take for instance someone in your family. You see them in need emotionally, physically or spiritually and you sit in silence. What good does this do your family? This is the same case.
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors." (James 2:8-9)
Remember, your duty as a follower of Jesus isn't to simply preach and "save" (although discipleship is a great thing), your duty is to love your neighbor as yourself and honor your Creator in it. This is the fulfillment of God's heart for you and your brothers.
There was an investment of the Kingdom in Cherokee, NC this week and the Father is overjoyed to see His children building each other up in love!
Go, do the same!
Amen,amen, amen!