Psalm 96:2-3 “Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.” (ESV)
Usually, when people read a verse like this, they think they have to literally get out and go. They believe that they need to go to a third world country and help the sick and the poor, they need to go help with inner city kids, they need to go do something extravagant. All of that is good and necessary, however, it is quite easy to forget that we live on a mission field. Our ordinary lives are filled with people who are hurting, people who are lost, people who are sick, and people who need to hear of His glory and marvelous works. We need to live the life of a missionary even in the common events of our everyday routine.
As you may or may not know, the youth group has focused its time and energy on missions this summer. In the process of doing the extravagant things like mission trips and helping at Ronald McDonald House, I have noticed that there is so much more we have done to help those right next to us. We have been caring for our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our time has been spent visiting older members of the congregation and making their day a little brighter, taking care of children so some parents can have a day to themselves, and painting houses of people that live in our very own city. This summer I have learned the importance of being a constant disciple of Jesus.
So, when God says to go out to the world and declare his glory to ALL of the people, you should GO cry with your neighbor who recently lost a loved one, GO visit your sister who is sick, GO love on your brother who is lost and lonely, and GO shine your light on your co-worker who does not know God. It’s when you learn to let his light shine in everything that you do that you are truly able to make a difference in the world.