Lets look at Gideon - God had strategically set Gideon in this family, in this tribe, and in this valley for a reason. He fully intended to call and equip Gideon to affect his closest relationships before moving on to something and someone else. The priority of serving those around us is seen throughout the Scriptures. When Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of Israel, he was given instructions for what his first tasks should be.
"For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him" (Genesis 18:19, HCSB).
God has called us to make a difference to the people in our current spheres.
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:38, 39 NIV)
Centuries later, as Jesus' disciples were ushered into the age of the church, God gave them a unique power to function on His behalf, and then clearly outlined the course their ministry was to follow.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The disciples were in Jerusalem when they received these instructions from Jesus. They were to focus on the ministry to be done where they were standing even as they began moving outward on mission. Start in your current surroundings before moving outward. First things first. Both for Gideon and for us.
Gideon had been reared in an idol-worshipping family. His own father was the keeper of the Baal altar in their town of Ophrah.
So Gideon took 10 of his male servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night (Judges 6:27).
Often, like in Gideon's case, our smaller spheres of influence are not easier to contend with just because they are smaller. Some of the most difficult and intimidating opportunities to walk in God's calling and being obedient to his promptings come when we are staring in the faces of those who know us best, whom we love the most or to approach that person in the street, supermarket or at our work place. It's often easier to stand on a platform and teach people we may never see again or people that love the Lord as much as we do than to talk and share God with our own children, friends, loved ones and our community. But these areas are the true heart of ministry.
Consider how Gideon must have felt tearing down what his father had spent his lifetime building, teaching, and defending. With each stone that he and his servants dismantled, another layer of the ideology that had overrun his family came unglued. This overnight idol-demolishing wasn't affecting some random town and family he would never see again. This was a task he'd feel, see, and endure the consequences of every day from that point on.
When you reach out to your community ........
When a teenager seeks to impact her school environment .......
When a coworker tries to influence her friends on the job.......
The stakes are often much higher when the mission field is personal.
What lies ahead in your journey should not take the focus off where you are right now. Wherever you are now is where you are meant to serve now. These innermost circles are often the ones that offer the least amount of worldly recognition. It is not worldly recognition that it is important, it is our father in heaven that matters. But this is why people often over look them. And yet your greatest impact will be done here - in your family and community.
Following God obediently may not be easy but it will be worth it.
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| picture from God is Heart blog |
Ask God to show you who the people in your primary sphere of influence should be. Refuse to search for significance in another place if you've bypassed any near and necessary steps in the journey God has for you.
Pray for a courageous faith and boldness to start where you are. He'll give it to you.
Pray for a courageous faith and boldness to start where you are. He'll give it to you.
