Jeremy and I are doing a bible study book together and on Saturday I was reading about the Great Commission. It just so happened that on Sunday, while visiting my moms church in Boone, NC, we were also learning about the Great Commission. Needless to say, it's been on my mind a lot. For those not familiar, the Great Commission is in Matthew 28. Starting in verse 16 it says:
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
It's hard for me to put into words how I feel, but I will try. I just kept thinking about the words "go and make disciples of ALL NATIONS!".... all nations.... all nations. I kept thinking about how people have talked to me about doing stateside missions or asking me why I wanted to go to Uganda in the first place. All I could say was that God had called me there, which is an answer enough. But I am really starting to understand why. Going to Uganda again is a scary thought, but take comfort in the very last line of what Jesus says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
On the way home from Boone yesterday I googled how many people are in this world. I don't think there's any way to know accurately, but they have guessed close to 7 billion people. That's a lot of people. I saw on one website that 74% of the worlds population live in Africa and Asia. (And I can attest to the fact that I have never seen more people in one space than when I was in Kampala!) I am also completely supportive of stateside missions, but Jesus has told us to go out into the nations and that is what I am going to do!
I also spent a lot of time thinking about the fact, or questioning, that God chose me. When I think back on my life I don't see much compared to others. I grew up poor, I wasn't the smartest in any of my classes, I was made fun of because of my crazy eyebrows (that my mom wouldn't let me wax or tweeze!), I was chubby, I mean I could go on and on. For a while I even resented my parents for the embarrassment and shame I felt for not being wealthy like my friends, for being on free or reduced lunch, for living in a trailer, for driving hideous cars- not really understanding that they were trying their very best- we were poor and it really cut down on my social life. But I grew up, I worked hard, and I went to college. I accepted Christ into my life and couldn't be more thankful for every second of my childhood! So why the history lesson? I read a scripture from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and it made my heart absolutely light up... almost as if God was sitting right here, answering the question of why he chose me! It says:
"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
I was 12 years old. Perfectly in the midst of this embarrassing time in my life, poorer than most people I knew, and definitely not the brightest. But I have always had my love. For a while I used that say that was all I could give you. I didn't have money, or much time, or knew anyone that could really help, but I could love you! Jesus sure is using that love now! And spreading it around the nations! His handiwork has always been around me! I don't know how this applies to your life today, but I hope you enjoyed reading this.Thanks mom for always telling me before I left the house "Remember who you are and whose you are!" I couldn't be more proud of who I am and whose I am! I have been called to a purpose, Jesus has called us all to his purpose! AMINA!
