"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
—Mark 16:15
Just like it was yesterday, I remember when God kicked me in the rear of my life and got me moving in ministry. I had known since I was 8 or 9 years old that I was called into the ministry. I knew that I was called to preach and heal, but I didn't know what it was to look like. I didn't know where to begin. I had been fasting and praying about what I was to do with my life. This particular night, I was on my knees crying out to God saying, “Lord, if You want me to go, I'll go. Just tell me to go Lord and I'll go.” What I really meant was, “I don't know where to go and what to do, but if You'll tell me, I’ll do it.” Suddenly, God’s presence filled the bedroom. It was as if time itself was suspended. Out of the stillness burst forth this one word loud and clear: GO!
Once I heard that word, I never looked back. I have been going ever since. Do you know what I've learned since that wonderful encounter with the Lord? I've learned that God wasn't telling me anything new. He didn't give me a specific assignment. He simply repeated what He had spoken to me and the rest of the body of Christ over 2,000 years ago. I now realize that I shouldn't have been waiting on God for direction or a word from heaven. He had been waiting years for me to be obedient to His earlier command.
At that time, I had no idea where to go, but after that night I started looking for opportunities. The very next day I led a gentleman to the Lord and soon, another and another. Eventually, doors started opening for me to minister in areas of which I never would have dreamed. Ever since that day, God has been nudging me and guiding me to places and people that are waiting to hear the message of salvation and to be discipled in His commands. None of this ever would have happened if I hadn't gone.
Every single one of us is called to the ministry—at the very least, we are all called to the ministry of reconciliation. Don't get hung up on where to go or who will recognize your ministry. Those things aren't important. What is important is whether or not you begin by taking the first and second steps toward what He has called you to. These first steps will always be toward people. If experience has taught me anything, it's that those first hundred or so people will be people whom God has already planted in your life.
Your calling and ministry may end up taking you to the far ends of the earth, but I guarantee it will start very close to home. It will start with your simple act of obedience in going. When you accept this truth in your heart, a sense of expedition will rise up inside you and you'll begin to view those around you through the lenses of Christ’s compassion. You'll begin to see hurts and needs that you previously just walked by without hesitation. Now, you'll stop and minister the love of Christ to the many close at hand. Whatever you do, stop waiting for special guidance and a new word—those may or may not come! Go to the nations, go to your city, and go to your family and friends. Hear the word of the Lord today and just go!
Scriptural Context
Mark 16:15-20
Concept Reinforcement
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
—Acts 1:8
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
—Romans 10:14-15
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
—2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Comments