In October, our church hosted its annual missionary conference. Two missionaries, both from New Tribes, but serving on opposites sides of the Papua New Guinea/Indonesia island, played Chris Tomlin’s “I Will Follow You.”
Their videos were far more moving than this with just the lyrics and Chris Tomlin’s face. We saw beautiful vistas with rain forests stretching endlessly. Villagers gathered around the missionaries, faces rapt, as they listened to The Story for the first time. The NTM mission center, with MKs going to school and families pursuing God’s plan on the far side of the world. And I was inspired by the song. Ready to pack. Ready to go. Those emotional responses to missionary talks…
Fast forward 3 months. The song played this afternoon as iTunes scrolled through our current favorites. And I wondered…am I really? God has placed me here--hanging laundry and preparing to iron. Am I ready to follow Him to the laundry room-giving thanks for each person who will wear these clothes? When the drying dings (mine sounds like the opening bell in a boxing match), will I fold with love and joy?
Am I ready to follow him to the kitchen, where I will prepare yet another meal with all the modern appliances? Sometimes I go through the motions and do the bare minimum rather than blessing my family with a beautiful table, carefully prepared dishes and well-timed meals.
Am I ready to follow him to the living room, turning off the TV when the movie I really wanted to watch celebrates sin? Am I ready to follow Him to our bookcase, choosing books that aren’t popular but are challenging in mental discipline?
And most often recently—am I ready to follow Him in the adventure of raising my children-a task that increasingly requires courage, stamina, and creativity as they become older.
It is easy to say I’ll follow you and imagine the grand adventure of missions. But if I am not ready to follow Him here, showing a thankful heart amidst the day in of life, how would I survive there? The mundane tasks here would be mine there—only much more challenging. The adventure would wear off with the first load of laundry attempting to dry in a rain forest.
