Have you ever said “I gotta see it to believe it”? Be honest now… I can say I said that many times in my life and am sad to say I have not followed through with it most of the time.
The most important time I did follow through was when a faithful disciple of Jesus challenged me to actually GO and SEE what God was doing in the world. David Mays was a man of deep faith and one who spent his life sharing the gospel and challenging people to actually go and see; to be disciples unto the world. For that, I am forever indebted to him.
As for me, it was shortly after a very difficult time in my life that I finally submitted to what God had been asking me to do, “Mary, go and see the work that I am doing and be sure to share it with others.”
Since that time in 2009, I have led over 15 teams to Southeast Asia and Africa with Remember Nhu. I only share the number of times because each time is both refreshing and hard as all get out. I experience something new on each trip and grow deeper in my relationship with Christ every time. Honestly, the best part of every trip is when the wheels touch down in the country to see the children and when the wheels leave the ground to take me back home. The work is hard.
Seeing the devastation of sin in the world is not easy to see. So why keep doing this? Because God has placed a burden on my heart to show others what He is doing in the world through Remember Nhu. I pray that the impact on those that go on these trips deepens their relationship with Christ as well.
As I stated before, there is something so very impactful by actually seeing something for yourself versus just reading about it or looking at someone else’s pictures. Seeing things first hand leaves a deeper impression upon you.
When I talk to people about going on a missions trip, they often comment, “These trips are really expensive. Why not just give the money to the organization? I am sure they can do more with it that way.” While I will not argue the trips are expensive and it does take a commitment of time from you, I would argue that God can do more with you than the organization can do with the money. You see, there is just something about seeing it first hand that impacts you beyond what you ever imagined. There is something about getting out of your comfort zone and allowing God to work deeply in your heart. Sometimes God has to take us halfway around the world to simply get our attention.
What does all of this mean for you? First, examine what God is desiring of you. Spend time seeking Him out and what He is calling you to do. Mark 16:15 says we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”. 1 Chronicles 16:24 and Psalm 96:3 say we are to “declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”. I am not sure about you but this seems pretty clear to me.
Maybe it is as simple as going outside your front door and walking across the street or maybe it is getting on a plane and going to the other side of the world. In either case, we are all called to go unto the world. When God calls his people to action, He provides all that we need. We simply need to trust and obey. Has He been nudging you to go and see His work? If He has, I urge you to be obedient and GO.
