Dear Church,
 
Have you ever thought of the Great Commission as the hinge point of history – that God is waiting for us to finish the responsibility of telling the world about Jesus? Jesus says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14). How plain can Jesus be on this truth?
 
This assignment Jesus clearly spelled out in Matthew 28:18-20 is for everybody – we are to pass on the Good News to the world, near and far.  I have heard people say, “Pastor, I don’t think I am called for Missions” – Wrong!  Everyone is called to be a missionary!  Everyone is called to the Great commission. We are all blessed by God for this very purpose to be the conduit of Him.  Jesus says in Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given, much will be required” – meaning the more you are blessed, the more you have the responsibility to bless others.  Most of us live in a ‘familiarity bubble’ – we shop at the same grocery store, we follow our daily routines and stick to our familiar taste, smell, sights, and activities.  The majority of our time is spent with people familiar to us – this is a major impediment for the great commission.  

For the great commission to be realized in our lives we need to bust out of the familiarity bubble, then you will see that the world is much bigger than you thought. You will get to see other lives; you’ll gain a new perspective on the world and how God is using you to expand his kingdom. You’ll get to experience different cultures and different ways of living that could be quite impactful, even ways you may adopt, too.  You will start to appreciate what God has gifted you with.  A new attitude of gratitude will dawn on you that brings fulfillment and joy in your life.
 
I can share from experience that if you break out of your familiarity bubble and share Christ’s love with people, you can’t help but be changed by what you experience.  God works His sanctification through those encounters and builds empathy and compassion. Those encounters may mitigate a hurt you have been carrying for a long time and now seems meaningless and perhaps now you can forgive, releasing a burden you’ve been carrying. When you move out of your familiarity bubble in response to God’s commission, you will change. This change will be rewarded by your heavenly Father!
 
Be Encouraged,
Mathews