Journey with Acts 1:8

 

Greeting Everyone, 

"But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.” 44.1.8 NCV

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It's an interesting thought! 'When the Holy Spirit comes we will receive power.' So often I think we forget about the rest of that verse though, 'you will be my witnesses... in every part of the word.'  Does that mean we have to go someplace else to be considered a witness in every part of the word? Does that mean we have to become foreign missionaries halfway across the word?

I think that is a cool sentiment and all, and there are certain seasons in life when God could call each of us to go overseas, but I do not believe that is a requirement for our faith or for us to be used by the Holy Spirit. One of the things that was drilled into my head growing up was how important it was to support missionaries and what they do.  I don't think I ever went to a camp that didn't ask me if I wanted to do just that, or better yet go myself.

The reality of it all though is that there are missionary fields everywhere. I read a story once about a woman who moved to America and prayed every day for someone to become a foreign missionary too. She prayed for several years in fact. One day in her prayer time she heard the Lord ask, where are you from? She was from another country.  Then the Lord asked, who is your neighbor? Her answer was someone from another country. Then the Lord asked, who lives down the street? She answered, someone from yet another country. The Lord asked one more question of the women, Have you ever spoken to them in any way? Her answer was 'well no'?

It was a funny realization for the woman in the story. She realized God had already answered her prayers even before she was praying them. The woman had opportunities every day to be a foreign missionary in her own neighborhood but never took the time to do so. The interesting thing about the whole situation was that the people that lived in her neighborhood were actually searching for someone to witness to them. Had the woman been out meeting and getting to know the people around her, in addition to her prayers, she would have seen God had met her request. 

I bring this story up for myself as well, but there are always opportunities to witness to those around us. They are there everyday and it doesn't have to be something spectacular or moving. We can witness to others by simply getting to know them. The life we live and the people we come in contact with are all a part of the mission field we were called to witness in. Why don't we start at home and see what God does in our own backyards as well. In time, if we are meant to do more, the doors will be opened to us. 

Thanks for visiting 'The Gathering Room,'

M.J.E.