Just a thought..

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This video is taken from Hillsong’s I Heart Revolution movement as a promo for their DVD, We’re All In This Together. But, I decided to use this because of the powerful truth behind the promo.

We see this imbalance and we amen, “it’s not right, it’s not fair.” But all too often, that’s all we do, because for us to do any more, it’s actually gonna cost us something. and if there’s where it ends, perhaps then, it’s fair to say that when we ignore the prostituted child, that we actually lend our hand to their abuse. That when we ignore the widow and the orphan in their distress, that we actually add to their pain. when we ignore their slave that remains captive, that it’s us who is entrapping them. That when we forget the refugee, that it’s us who’s displacing them. That when we choose not to help the poor and the needy, that we actually rob them.

(My favourite bits from the video)

We know that God created us equal, that we were made in the image of Him. We know that we’re all sinners, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, rescued from death to eternal life. We know that Christ has died for all, that He loves each individual that He was willing to give up His life for us. Allow me to put Joel Houston’s words into perspective.

It’s all too real!

If you could pause, take a time off your busy life, to think about a person like you. Your age, your gender, who looks a little like you, but who does not have a computer like you have-who is now so hungry because that person who is like you has not eaten for days. While you grumble about that horrible broccoli and that it’s always rice everyday, that other person who looks a little like you begs everyday for a spoon of that rice. Now, think of that person again, and look at his clothes. Look at yours. When it’s hot, you turn on the air-cond, when it’s cold, you cover yourself with a blanket. He? He shivers when he is cold, and is left to suffer when it’s hot.

Often than not, we ask the question, why go for missions and evangelism? My answer is if you cannot imagine the illustration above, go look for the real stuff. Search through Google Images, Youtube and you will find the reality of life.

If only we could see.

Our problem is that we are too apathetic. We can just walk pass a man who cannot walk in the Pasar Malam and give him nothing, while we consume all the goodness that the stores can offer. Just as how Joel said, who are we to judge what the beggars do with the money we give them as if we’re any better?

We don’t see the lives of people suffering just to earn a living. If only we could open our eyes, and see the people who struggle to earn a living, the roadside cleaner, the house guard, the garbage collector. I mean, who are we to judge them and say “They should’ve gotten an education.”. Sometimes, that’s not the case. I know a guard at my condominium who had to move here to work simply because if he did not, he would have been killed by armies back home. This guard sometimes works 24 hours straight just to get overtime pay. This is one instance out of the millions of people who struggle to just eat and live right HERE in this country. And here we are complaining that we are tired from school or colleges. If only we can imagine working for a straight 24 hours.

If only we could see the lives of those who are left to rot, abandoned by family members and friends. This is real rejection! They are left with NO money, NO possessions and NO homes. They are very present in Kuala Lumpur, even in the city centre. Can we imagine spending the rest of our retiring lives, doing nothing, with no mission, no goal in life, but just to aim for death?

If only we could see..

Help?!

Do we have help? Of course we do! Thanks be to Christ Jesus who is ready to forgive us for our apathy! Thanks be to Christ Jesus who will empower us to fulfill the Great Commission.

One thing I’ve realized over the past few weeks is that God doesn’t just call each individual for missions and stop there, He directs and He shows His divine plan and mission field for each of us. For some, it might be to save an entire classroom, bless an entire school, to empower and lead a Christian Fellowship or our youth group to reach out, to serve the hungry and homeless in the urban cities. For some, it may be to really go the distance to hard-to-reach places like the interiors of nations, in the jungles, for some it’s to educate the forgotten, for some it’s really to go to nations that reject the Word of God and penetrate God’s Love into the peoples of that nation.

Pray this prayer if want to start and go forth to fulfill the Great Commission.

Dear Lord,

I’m sorry for taking missions lightly before. Please forgive me and cleanse me with the Blood of the Lamb. Ignite this fire in me to reach out to those whom You want me to reach. Reveal them to me, open windows of opportunity and empower me, Lord with Your Spirit. Teach me, guide me and give me courage as I bow and obey Your commands.

IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY, AMEN.

But are we confined?

I believe the Great Commission was a COMMAND, not a suggestion. And, it was for us to reach ALL of humanity and not just those who are suffering physically. We need to see how localized missions is. It’s not JUST to travel to Africa or any third world countries but there’s a deep hunger and longing for people in our nation for a Saviour and for Truth. That’s why we came up with last month’s theme, Illusions, to show what people believe and how can we show them the Truth.

There are plenty who are in our very schools, colleges and workplaces that need a Saviour. They need a source of hope, life and love. They could be your friend that you sit with in school who has never heard of Jesus. They could be that “geeky” guy that nobody sits with. They could be that person in school who seems so confident, but is in deep desire for a deeper relationship with a Father. They are those who suffer emotionally and spiritually, and they need to be IMPACTED

What can I do?

There’s really a lot you can do, but I’ll just give you small examples.

Smile! MEET AND GREET!

When you open up, you can really see that people will open up to you. They will be open to share their problems, even total strangers, or bits and pieces of their life story. You can start to share your experiences, and how God has impacted your life. You don’t have to rush to convert them, or even to share the gospel. Another thing I’ve learnt recently, is that people are more likely to be opened to experiential truths than your knowledge about the Bible and theology. Give them a tract(in the MI kit!), a hug, a prayer or even just a listening ear. If they are open, of course, share the Gospel and let them see how Jesus has died and rose again for our iniquities and that He is the true source of Love, grace and life. If not, DO NOT FRET! The seed has been sown.

If you remember Sister Rosmarie Kowalski’s testimony of this girl she met in Changi Airport, you’ll see how important is the sowing of the seed. This girl she met actually had a Bible that was given to her by someone who shared a little with her for 5 years and she has never given much thought about it. But when Sis. Rosmarie talked to her about God, the girl remembered the seed that that person has sown. After talking to Sis. Rosmarie she was interested in the Bible and she opened it. Who knows? God might be speaking to her right now.

The important thing is to gather courage from God and just do what you can at God’s timing.

Give

If possible give something to the beggars or those in need. If you aren’t comfortable with giving cold hard cash, give them food. Buy them a bar of chocolate, simple things that mean luxury to them. Share and pray with them if possible.

Age is not a factor! No matter how young or old you are, we are ALL in a long journey to fulfill the Great Commission. I, myself am learning to be more opened to people and to be more courageous to give without thinking of what will be of my money. God will transform each of us for His glory!

I know this is quite a long post, but I hope you will give it some thought. Take this opportunity this month. Mission: Impact is designed for you to really impact your generation. Each week, we are fashioning different activities for you to get involved-activities for you to be creative in coming up with things to do. We urge you to come every week to see what God has to offer.

Take bold steps to bring about a revolution in our generation. Do your part and see God bring revival to this nation!

Now that I have seen, I am responsible
Faith without deeds is dead

(“Albertine” by Brooke Fraser)

Keane