VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
Called to Him, Not a Place
It was a divine date. About a year after returning home from the mission field in Kenya, God led me to join an online dating site for missionaries. Yes—a dating site. 😂 I resisted at first, then finally surrendered, thinking perhaps God was going to introduce me to my future husband. He had something entirely different in mind.
Through the site, I discovered a discussion about missions to Israel and Jewish people. Because of my own history and connection with Jewish culture, I began praying about why God had brought this before me.
Less than two weeks later, I attended an outdoor concert with friends and struck up a conversation with a woman interested in my missionary work.
Then she asked: “Are you a Christian?” I said yes. “What does Christianity mean to you?” Internally, I began praying like crazy.
The Holy Spirit took over, and I shared my testimony and the Gospel—how sin separated me from God, how Jesus died and rose again, and how surrendering my life to Him gave me relationship with God and eternal life.
Then I asked if she was a Christian. “No, I’m Jewish.” Suddenly, I understood.
This was the date God had arranged.
First Peter 3:15 tells us to always be prepared to give the reason for our hope, doing so with gentleness and respect.
I’ve learned that people are often more ready to hear the Gospel than we are willing to share it.
Mission isn’t always halfway around the world. Sometimes God sends us across an ocean. Sometimes He sends us back home. Sometimes He simply places someone beside us and opens the conversation. Wherever you are, you’re on mission.
Jesus is our why. And you never know when God may have a divine date waiting for you.
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Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Heart of a Missionary” by Lauren Elizabeth Dean