It's Best to Start Small

I've been reading in Matthew for the past couple weeks. This last week God has been teaching me more about what it means to be the person I want to be as a "missionary." Not just a missionary in India or across the world but here, right now. I tend to get overwhelmed with this subject. Sometimes I get so excited about the rest of the world and seeing it and it's people, that I forget that right here in America is my mission field.

And so why am I writing this three days before I go to live in Ireland for a semester? I think God is showing me that He just wants small steps. Sometimes I feel like it has to be like India where everyone has to say they've never heard of their Savior's name and they want to ask him into their lives. But Jesus is saying in Matthew that even though its a huge job, a huge decision to live for Him and to give our lives, that he still knows we're human.

Jesus says to start with those around us. Our neighbors. Touch the untouchables here, not just in India. He says to be gentle in our conversation to those that are welcoming. And to move on when others don't welcome us. Jesus doesn't expect or even want us to beat people over the head with the Bible and say the sinners prayer with everyone we talk to.

Jesus wants us to join his team. He wants to be stood up for. Then, he will stand up for us infront of his father. He wants us with him through thick and thin. We don't deserve him. But once we forget ourselves, we find what we are looking for. We find both Jesus and who we truely are.

Jesus says its best to start small. After surrendering each day to him, follow him through the day and let him use you when the chance is there. I think its about walking with him, honoring him, being sensitive to his spirirt, and then taking those small steps of love towards others.

Love is the way to people's hearts. Love is what Jesus is about. Love is what should be seen in our lives. Love is what should be wrapped in and out of our conversations with others.

That's what Jesus wants.

God Colors

Jesus told use to be the light of the world.

"Here's another way to put it: You're to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world."

What does it mean to bring out the God colors in the world? Light is how we see color. Light is what gives depth, and height, and light is absorbed and colors are reflected. Without light, there is nothing. There is darkness.

As the light, we are to be like Jesus. We must share the truth. We must be the truth. The darkness should fade as we shine the love of Christ to others. The darkness should fade as we obey Christ each day and are made righteous through him. The darkness should fade when we proclaim His truth and do not settle for less.

When we as God's people, find ourselves in the dark, we must go back to the cross. Go back to the ultimate light-bearer. To be light we must also take up our cross as Christ did. Being light means sacrifice. It means choosing Christ over our self. It means doing what's God's desire is rather than our selfish and many times sinful desires may be.

As we sacrifice more and more, as we do His will over ours, as we become righteous through His beautiful transformation, our light becomes brighter. And the God colors, they are rich and beautiful. As the darkness fades, we see shapes and colors that were once hidden in darkness. With His right amount of light, the world's beauty is exposed.