There are a lot of exciting things about travelling, aren’t there?

Things like seeing famous landmarks, interacting with different cultures, trying new cuisines, or having once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Even simply crossing the boundary into a new city can be exciting.

You often pass a large sign when you enter the outskirts of a new place. It might read, “You are now entering Albuquerque” or whatever your destination happens to be.

You get the same frisson of excitement even if you’re entering a small town that’s new to you. It still seems momentous, because the unknown awaits you. You never know who you might meet there, or what might happen.

These thoughts crossed my mind recently as I was exiting a church parking lot onto the main street. Leaving the lot, we were faced with a sign that read:

“You are now entering the mission field.”

My heart skipped a beat as I read that.

It made me realize that I don’t need to travel to far-off lands to be a mission worker. I can do so a block from my church, at my workplace, or in my neighbourhood park. It’s all a mission field.

Sometimes we don’t think of the world around us in that way. We think mission work takes place in other countries, places most of us will never travel to. We think missionaries are a special breed, dedicated servants of God, and certainly they are that.

But Jesus calls all of us to spread the gospel. For most of us, He intends us to do so where we already are, as we go about our everyday lives.

The truth is, the mission field lies all around you. It starts just beyond your front door.

So as you leave your home or apartment today and close the door behind you, think to yourself, “I am now entering the mission field.”

As you enter your workplace, school, shopping centre or sports arena, say to yourself, “Today I have an opportunity to show people the love of Jesus.”

You’ll find yourself experiencing a frisson of excitement.

Stepping onto the mission field is momentous: you never know who God has for you to meet, or what incredible things He may set in motion. The same is true whether you live in a big city or a small town.

God has placed you where you are in life for a purpose.

You might be able to touch the lives of people that no one else can.

When you have a mindset of viewing the entire world outside your front door as a mission field, you’ll be alert for opportunities to impact others for eternity.

So as you step outside today, trust that God has something special planned.

You are now entering His purpose for you!

© 2022 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.