After Jesus had cast the evil spirits out of a man in the
region of Garasenes (see Matthew 5), the guy wanted to serve as one of Christ’s
followers. He had been transformed. He was ready to go anywhere and do
anything for the one who had changed him.

You would
think Jesus would have taken him up on the offer. Instead, he told the
man, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has
done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Instead
of complaining, the man obeyed. He spread the news about Jesus in his
own community, among his own friends and neighbors.

I
talk to lots of people ready to become missionaries to the ends of the
earth, those ready to move across the country for college or seminary,
and others willing to move to the inner city from their small town to
become urban missionaries. These are all admirable pursuits.

But Jesus might just say no.

Jesus
might answer, “I’ve changed you so you can live out your faith where
you currently live, work, and study. Start where you are.”

Okay, so Jesus did not exactly say it like this in the gospels, but it’s an accurate paraphrase.

You
may not like your job, your major, or place in life at the moment. God
may have some big plans for you in another part of the planet someday.

Until then, start where you are. That’s where he’s placed you for the moment.

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Originally posted here.

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DILLON
BURROUGHS is an author, activist, and co-founder of Activist Faith.
Dillon served in Haiti following the epic 2010 earthquake and has
investigated modern slavery in the US and internationally. His books
include Undefending Christianity, Not in My Town (with Charles J.
Powell), and Thirst No More (October). Discover more at DillonBurroughs.org.