which way to the mission field?

Annie over at What She Saw recently wrote about progress and fear and her latest calling to the mission field. And I have to admit, I was a little bit envious. My home church never sponsored mission trips and the military chapel doesn't organize them, either. But, I want to go. And as I was thinking about this, about the possibility that maybe the chapel doesn't organize mission trips because it's too much of a logistical nightmare with bureaucracy and the culture of moving every few years. Because in military families, we don't go to foreign places for three weeks, we go to foreign places for three years.

I was stirring my peaches and cream instant oatmeal when it dawned on me that that--that place wherever the military sends us--that is our mission field. (Guys, why has it taken so long for me to make this connection?)

Because, aren't missions all about building community and serving others and sharing the love of Christ? I don't have to go to a village in Africa or Mexico or wherever in order to build community and serve others and share Christ's love! I am not confined to building schools or houses or bringing fresh water to remote locations (although I am definitely not knocking any of those because they are all priceless and worthy causes and if you need any proof of that, check out The Williams Post). I've limited myself by narrowing my definition of missions, by thinking that if I want to serve, it has to be in some big, memorable, life-changing way (like going to Africa or Mexico). But, that's not true.

And, if that's the case--if missions is about community and service and love, then am I not already doing that (even if I could be doing that better)? Aren't those things woven into the weekly group hosted here, the monthly outreach to the barracks?

The answer to that is yes. And at first, I felt like I was boasting. And I realized that I am, but it's not about me and what I've done, but what God has done through me. This is about God and how I can open myself--my eyes, my heart, my willingness to step out of my comfort zone--to serve and love those around me.

That, to me, is what following Christ is all about.

I'm still learning, still seeking to know my Father better every day, to seek and desire His will and align my life more closely with what He wants for me. I'm still learning to shed my own selfish wants in order to advance His kingdom here on earth. But this was a huge epiphany for me and I am so excited to see how it will affect the way I interact with others.