A Calling From God

Some of you know that in the summers I work at a day camp at a church near me called Camp Agape.  I love working there, and every summer God uses my experiences there to grow and stretch my faith.  As the summer came to an end, I realized that I would have to go back to "real life."  Being in such close fellowship with so many other Christians and working together with them almost every day for ten weeks not only builds close relationships, but it is such an encouragement when you are constantly surrounded by other teens who are seeking to be Christlike.  As you can probably imagine, it is very hard to leave this atmosphere and go back to the "real world" where not everyone is a Christian and not everyone is trying to live a life that is pleasing to God.

As I was anticipating this transition, I began to look for ways that I could become more actively involved in ministry during the year.  I quickly came to realize that in order for me to take on any type of regular ministry commitment during the year I would have to cut my youth orchestra program out of my schedule.  I love music and I love being able to make music every Saturday with other teenagers, so I really didn't want to give it up!  As I was thinking about this, I talked it over with my sister.  In her logical, left-brained way, she explained to me that God had given me the ability to make beautiful music.  She said to me, "If God gave you the gift of music, you should use it!  He didn't give it to you without a reason."

Eventually, I came to realize that God had given me a huge mission field at my youth orchestra program!  The percentage of Christians there is very low, and being a pretty extroverted person I know a lot of people and have many opportunities to share the Gospel with people.  I am still in youth orchestra, and I have been able to have some really neat conversations about God with people!  It isn't always easy to stand up for what I believe in, but saying Romans 1:16 to myself reminds me that I do not need to be "ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."  I have begun to view my orchestra program as a wonderful way for me to shine the light of Christ.  It has become my mission field.  Even though I am too young to become a full-time missionary at this point, I can still share Christ with those around me.

Where is your mission field?

You might be thinking, "Oh please, I am not the missionary type.  Being a missionary isn't my calling!  I don't have a mission field."  I hate to break it to you, but there is no such thing as a "missionary type."  Also, we are all called to preach the Gospel "to all creation."  (Mark 16:15)  Now you are probably thinking, "Okay.  Fine.  Whatever.  I am too young to be a missionary anyways."  1 Timothy 4:12 says "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."  You aren't too young!

Did you know that you don't have to go to a faraway country to be a missionary?  You can share the Gospel with the people next door if that is where God has called you right now.  Right now, God has placed me in my youth orchestra program to share the Gospel with those around you.  He may have you in a certain place or situation so that those around you can hear the Gospel.  God can use anyone in any situation!

I challenge you to spend some time praying and asking God to show you where He would like you to "be a missionary,"  and then find your mission field and get to work!  God is calling you.  How will you answer Him?