Make Missions Your Household Mission - Crosswalk Couples Devotional - June 30

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Make Missions Your Household Mission
By Michelle Lazurek

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

As we moved into our new home, we unpacked, painted, and decorated it as we wanted. We placed paintings on the walls, made new curtains for the windows, painted each wall a different color, and added themed pieces to give the house a cozy feel. We tried to make our home as comfortable as possible. We love to entertain and want people to feel comfortable in our house. The rectangular sign above our front door was one of the last decorative items we placed in our home. It says, “You are now entering the mission field.” I love this sign the most because it reminds me that mission work is more than just overseas. It’s my neighbor who opposes attending church. It’s my co-worker who is hurting. It’s my community that needs volunteers to meet its growing needs.

Although we are not missionaries, we see missions as a primary role in our lives as a Christian couple. Not only do we strive to serve churches together as a couple, but we also do what we can to serve our local community. In our denomination, missions are at the forefront of the work they want to see churches accomplish. However, many church attendees believe missions means to give a check to overseas work so that the gospel can be preached in third-world countries. While that's an important part, our mission field starts when we walk out the door of our home.

My husband evangelizes to the people in his local coffee shop. He answers their questions about faith and helps new believers ground themselves in the word of God. I donate needed items in the community. I volunteer at my local church events and give to organizations supporting relief efforts for hurricane victims and helping those who don't have a warm meal or presents to give their children for Christmas.

Although these are noble deeds, we often believed that our service to our church as pastor and pastor's wife was enough. But as we searched the Scriptures together, we realized that mission work happens everywhere. Sometimes, mission work is handing a tissue to someone who is crying. Other times, it’s volunteering at a local organization. No matter where God places us, people will always need to hear about the gospel. We want to be people known for preaching the gospel often and consistently.

In the above verse, we need to be God's witnesses everywhere. Jerusalem was the closest city where the people were. Judea and Samaria were the surrounding cities, and the end of the world was a place far away. To put this in a modern context, we are not only to be witnesses to people in our towns, but also to our neighboring towns and cities, and to the world around us. It's essential to support overseas mission work to help their efforts reach those who have never heard the gospel. But it is just as necessary to help those in our town, our neighbors, and others who need to listen to the gospel just as desperately.

One great way to help serve your neighborhood is to make cookies for Christmas and send out Christmas cards. Take a Saturday and drop off cookies and cards around neighboring areas. It's a great token of love and appreciation for your neighbors and a great witness. Include a card for your church, inviting them to come if you feel comfortable.

Your mission field starts the minute you leave your home. Find the places where God has you, whether it's your workplace, community, neighborhood, etcetera. There are always people who need to hear the gospel. As a couple, we need to be the people who bring it.

Father, let us be people who are always doing our work of missions. Remind us that your  ministry on earth was evangelism. Let us be a couple who make missions at the forefront of their marriage. Guide and direct our steps as to whom you want to hear the Gospel. Amen.

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and host of The Spritual Reset Podcast. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

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