Engaging the World Through Mission: Go Anyway

From July 14th through 18th Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church will host a five-part Adult VBS series entitled "Engaging the World." The topics that week will include: Mission, Hospitality, Science, Advocacy, and God in the Ordinary.

 As a lead up to the series, some thoughts on how we engage with the world through faith.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:16-20
Moses answered God, “But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” ~ Exodus 3:11 (The Message)
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. 
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. 
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. 
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. 
If you do good today, it will be forgotten. Do good anyway. 
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. ~ credited to Mother Teresa

But some doubted.

 Some doubted.

 These followers of Jesus had seen the greatest of all miraculous events. And some doubted. It's a line that often gets overlooked in this famous commissioning by Jesus of the apostles.

 They doubted, but Jesus said: "Here's what I want you to do. Your doubts are yours, but don't trouble me. Go anyway. Do what I command anyway."

 In our showing up on Sundays, or in Bible Studies, or council meetings, or fellowship gatherings, it's easy to forget sometimes the primary mission of the church.

 It's easy to forget that the command of a follower of Jesus is to GO. Not just to show up at worship, meetings, or fellowship gatherings.

 Go out there. Beyond the walls. To the people who need the word of Good News you have to share.

 And I'll bet I'm not the only one who at times has thought or said: "But...I don't know enough. Or I'm too scared. Or what if people say, no?"

 Or like Moses...

 "Why me?"

 In the commissioning Jesus gives, there are clearly some things that are not everyones' call. We aren't all called to baptize or even to teach.

 But we are all called Go.

 To reach out. To forgive. To be kind. To be honest. To create. To be joyful. 

 To do good. 

 To love.

 That means stepping outside the walls. Not to knock on doors.

 But to live. Really live. Live a life that is incredibly fulfilling and joyful. It is good news after all that we have to share. And living out that good news is good news for everyone you encounter.
Prayer: Help me to live a life that demonstrates the Good News of your love! Amen






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