“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”                                     

- Matthew 28:19-20

In community group we have been watching the video series, “Helping Without Hurting,” which aims to provide knowledge and resources necessary to show how to be missional without causing more harm than good. Therefore, missions, specifically The Great Commission, has been on the forefront of my mind of late. The Great Commission is our call as Christians to go out into the world to spread the good news of the Gospel. One might even argue it is our main duty as Christians living in the world, and it is possibly one of my greatest fears. Despite the fact that Jesus literally states in the verse that he will be with us “always, to the end of the age,” I often feel alone when confronted with the idea of trying to share the Gospel. I never feel like I would know what to say or how to say it. I feel unequipped and unable, but of course it is not in my power to bring others to Christ.

Believe it or not, many of my misgivings about being missional are answered in Revelation 4.  The last verse of Revelation 4 states “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created,” nothing exists in this world without God having ordained it, God is the one that opens eyes and ears to his kingdom, just as he opened John’s eyes to the glory of his throne room. Sunday Justin told the story of Elijah and his servant when they were surrounded by enemies. It wasn’t until God opened the eyes of the servant to see that their enemies were surrounded by the army of God that he ceased to be scared. The most used word in revelation is the Greek word for looking or beholding, while the second most used word is the word for fear not, and as Justin pointed out, this is no mistake. For when we can see the power of God through his Word, we can cease our fear in sharing it. Not you or me, not even the most convincing bit of theology or most moving testimony can change someone’s heart or mind. However, like Elijah did for his servant, we can pray for those who don’t know God to have their eyes opened to him, and for God to speak through us and use us in his redemptive work.

~ Rachel Whippo