Just in case you were wondering…we don’t have to go anywhere to be part of missions. There is plenty that needs to be done in our own back yards. People in my church, for example, have adopted an inner city school, making sure every student has clothes, supplies, mentors, even class parties and Christmas gifts. Others visit – and some adopt – local children in the foster care system and children’s homes. My daughters’ youth choir serves in a variety of ways throughout the year – visiting homeless shelters and nursing homes, providing food, love, and music to the people there. There are support groups for those who are hurting, struggling, or recovering from addictions. There are English classes for those wanting to learn this very complicated language. Twice, I have been part of Feeding Children Everywhere – a ministry whose goal is just that: providing meals for hungry children here in the USA and around the world. There are thousands of ways to serve our community – to meet very real physical and emotional needs.
But, as I said before, meeting those needs is just the start. We also want to meet spiritual needs. As we care for kids, feed the hungry, visit the elderly, teach, sing, and mentor, we should also share the greatest source of wealth we have — the Good News of Jesus. He offers eternal life! While we certainly want to do all we can to make this world a better place – starting with our own back yard – we can’t forget that this world, this life, is temporary. And, as unpopular as this may be, the Bible makes it clear that there are not many ways to heaven. There is just one. But Jesus isn’t withholding that way from anyone. Romans 10:13 says “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” That is good news! It is news worth sharing, news worth proclaiming. And we don’t need to get on a plane to share it. We can do it right where we are.
