The Great Commission and You
I attended the Global Missions celebration Wednesday night at our home church. While we were visiting with people before the service a thought came to me about the great commission in light of what I have learned about the number of people groups and languages in the world.
I noticed (keep in mind this is a missionary typing this) that I would feel somewhat overwhelmed at the task of going to all the nations. Man… this is a big honkin’ planet! To look at that through a single set of eyes… well, the task of going to ALL the nations then pushes the threshold of the impossible. Let me tell how so. There are currently about 7,000 known languages in the world which can be considered the same as 7,000 different people groups. So, I’ve been given the task to go to all the nations, to all of these groups because that is to whom nations in the verse refers. Okay, so if it is a requirement for me as a follower of Jesus to go to all the nations… you now see where the impossible starts to creep in? 7,000 different people groups……. wee little Jonathan…….
If I visited one people group per day, I would spend the next 7,000 consecutive days, or 19+ years just going. Wasn’t there a part in there about making them disciples, too?? I don’t think that burden is what God has in mind. I have a point to all this, really.
The Great Commission is just one example of a biblical command that has the potential to overwhelm us to the point of stagnation. I’ve experienced a lot of things in my life that have done this to me due to my battles with depression. Take a look at it: we love God, God says go to all the nations… oh my goodness, I’ve got to go everywhere!!!! My main point is that God has monumental sized plans with tiny cooperative participation. This means He is not calling anyone of us to personally go to 7,000 different people groups. He is not telling us to go individually; He is telling us to go collectively. His plan involves participation of the body — many different parts contributing to the same cause in different ways. Dana and I are going to serve 10 of the 7,000 in southwest Tanzania. My bet is that God is asking you for less. Read that again. My bet is that God is asking you for less. Don’t think I typed that to induce guilt as a motivator. Forget that. I put that out there that you might not fall victim to being overwhelmed. Don’t fall victim. Find your people group opportunity. Could be here. Could be way over…… wherever….
