And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Missionaries are amazing people! They exhibit incredible faith, courage and love every day because that is what it takes to leave the comforts of home and travel to a foreign land for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But did you realize that you are a missionary too?

Not all of us can travel to Kenya, to Haiti, to India, to the Dominican Republic or wherever else missionaries go. In fact, we do not have to. We can be God’s missionaries right where we are, at home, at the office, at the gym and so on. As Bob Goff, once said, “God is not dazzled when we go across an ocean, but he is wowed when we go across a street, across the office, across town to serve others with love and gratitude.”

Speaking to the Colossians, Paul exhorts them to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17b). Today, we can all be missionaries to our wounded world, our wounded families, and our wounded neighbors. We can reach out to serve others in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him. The only question is, “Will you go? Will you leave the comforts of your home to go across the street and share kindness in Jesus’ name?”

Almighty God, the world is hurting right now, and we need your Presence to intervene powerfully in our world. Help me to answer the call in this moment of need. Give me the courage to serve my neighbor in Jesus’ name. AMEN.