THE MISSION: YOUR BACKYARD

Colbi Mouser


Going on mission trips are humbling. They are a great way to experience life in a completely different way, and they change your perspective in a lot of ways. Last summer I went on one to South Africa. On this trip the way I viewed Jesus, life, and myself was completely wrecked. And when I say wrecked, I mean that everything I had previously thought drastically changed. While I was there I saw a completely different way of life, one that I had never remotely considered.

One afternoon, the Holy Spirit spoke to me clear as day. As several children were climbing on my back, playing with my hair, kissing my cheek and holding my hand, a gentle voice questioned why I was so different in that moment in relation to my life at home. Why was I so emotionally in tune with those kids despite their circumstances, when at home I tended to pull away from people when things in their life got messy? The filthy clothes, dirty hands and feet didn’t bother me at all. A child could come up to me in any condition and I would gladly welcome them with open arms and embrace them just the way they were. So what was the difference? As the Holy Spirit continued to press that question on my heart, I had no answer. Yes, the circumstances of being in South Africa and being at home are different. However, why didn’t I allow myself to unconditionally love people like this at home no matter what their mess was? Like I said, I had no answer at all.

READ MATTHEW 25:35-40

I love this passage because of the simplicity it displays. Being in tune with the needs of others around you shows the love of Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Puerto Rico, South Africa, Rowlett or Garland; there is someone around you with a need you can meet. Being compassionate towards others doesn’t have to require tons of money or resources; it can simply be giving someone your time to show them that they do matter. God had to take me across the world to make me understand that there are people all around me daily with different needs, and that’s okay. Let me encourage you to take a look at who is around you, despite their circumstance, and be compassionate towards them. “I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for me.”