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“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

If you’ve been walking with Lord for any amount of time, you’ve probably had seasons of wrestling—times when the Holy Spirit is working on some attitude, situation, or direction. For me, it usually starts with that Still Small Voice (which I tend not to hear in my uber-busyness and constant “get-er-done” mode). Then, His voice gets a bit louder, and I do start wondering what He’s up to. I pray and journal but continue my “busyness as usual”—I’m hearing, but still trying to figure stuff out myself. Finally, the Lord will shout so that I’ll simply stop, shut up, and listen (and if you’ve been here, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about).

Although I am getting better at being a Mary, my Martha still dominates (see Luke 10:38-42), so this pattern has occurred quite a bit over my 25 years of being a Christian. In fact, over the past several months, the Lord has been revealing some things to me through Bible study, quiet time, and conversations with my husband. But without (what I deemed as) clarity, I pondered, journaled, and talked…but kept on going and doing. Until I had eye surgery a couple of weeks ago, after which I could not read, be on the computer, or look at my phone for one week. (Think about this friends, how much through the day are your eyes on your phone or other screen? Yeah, now don’t do that for 7 days.)

Needless to say, the Lord had hours and hours and hours of my time and attention. The funny thing is, He wanted even more than my mere daylight hours—He wanted this time to be a crash course in listening. So, I spent much of the first five days awake through most of the nights as well. Wrestling, talking, and yes, listening. And He made it very clear to me that, although I have been doing very Good Things for Him, it’s time to Go.

It’s time for me to Do for Him in different ways. He is sending me. Not to the jungles of Africa or the sandy streets of the Middle East, but into my own city—where there is ample brokenness, poverty, and hurt. Where babies are being murdered, children are being trafficked, families are being shattered, and elderly are being forgotten. Yes, I am being called to the mission field in my own backyard. A rescue mission, to be the hands and feet of Jesus and proclaim the love, freedom, and hope of a surrendered life to Him. And I’m so excited!

What about you? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, how is the Lord using you? How are you serving—and who are you serving? Is it only the person in the mirror? Are you going to church every Sunday (and maybe on Wednesdays) to feed on God’s Word and maybe to get a little spiritual bump, but the rest of your week is business (busyness) as usual? Maybe you’re serving your church body on Sundays, greeting or even teaching a Bible study. This is awesome! But are you also reaching out into the lost and broken world to reveal Who Jesus is through meeting practical, real needs—caring for others so they want to know the Reason behind your unreasonable love?

Friend, upon salvation, each of us is rescued—from sin, death, and eternal separation from God. While we were still sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). So, because He first loved us, we are to love others in the same sacrificial way (1 John 4:19). We are to serve, love, and share the Good News. Once rescued, we’re to join the rescue mission. We are all SENT. And you don’t even have to wait for your own wrestling match to …. just go!

“Lord, thank You for rescuing me! Now, help me be bold in word, action, and grace as I step out into the world to be part of Your rescue mission.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life