Monday, May 7, 2012

Crazy Excited To Serve Jesus

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. -- Proverbs 31:8-9

She was “crazy excited,” she said. She and her husband, along with their two children, were headed to a large city for a new assignment. They were going to be working with the homeless.

Wow, I thought. That would be an awesome ministry. Reaching out to help people who truly are in need. Challenging, of course. But also so very rewarding.

This young woman has spent the last several years serving as a youth pastor. Her husband was a pastor at a church an hour away. Now they’ll be serving together and reaching a needy population. I sense a church mission trip heading her way.

Missions, you see, aren’t just for other people. And they don’t always involve going to another country, living in rustic accommodations and communicating with people in a different language. Oh, those types of missions take place and are worthy and wonderful.

But each of us have mission opportunities right where we are. I spoke to this delightful young woman at the site of a yard sale to benefit missions. The youth were helping set up. I was delivering donations. All proceeds go to missions projects. Everyone who donated items, volunteered their time or purchased items (and maybe gave a little extra) helped missions.

So do those who collect food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other items for the elderly in our area. Or those who visit the lonely. Or the sick. Or the shut-ins. Those who collect school supplies for children. Those who prepare meals for the unemployed. I could go on and on.

Recently one church began another church -- in a park. Because some people won’t come into a building and sometimes they’re the ones who need Jesus the most. Of course, we all do, but you know what I mean. When you are lost, hurting, addicted, without hope. Jesus is your hope. But first you need someone to tell you that.

Jesus called us all to reach out to those around us. He did. Jesus always made time for those who came to Him for help or those He happened upon who needed help. That’s what missions are all about. Reaching beyond ourselves and touching the lives of others.

So give yourself a little “crazy excitement” today and give something of yourself to someone else who needs a large dose of Jesus in his or her life.