I Don't Want to Go to Africa

When I was a little girl, I begged God not to send me to Africa. I felt the call to missions, but oh! How I didn’t want to go anywhere far away from home, where snakes lived or where I might encounter a witch doctor. Can you relate?

But even as a child, I knew what the Word of God told me to do, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19

I knew that these words, spoken 2,000 years ago by Jesus to His disciples, were as applicable and intentional to my life today as they were then.

But still, I wondered, “Would Jesus send me to somewhere I didn’t want to go?”

And, of course, the answer is, “Yes.” The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

I went to a Christian university whose mission’s statement was, “Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth.”

Even then, during my college years, I was forced to face my fears and change resistance into obedience. I submitted to God’s plan which I knew was always best. I could sing this hymn of the faith, with tears streaming down my cheeks, and sincerely mean it,

“I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I’ll be what you want me to be.”

The years of raising children quickly passed as my husband planted churches across America. We often sent our children on short-term missions’ trips, but I stayed at home raising our incredible 5 children and supporting my pastor-husband.

After our children left the family nest, I began my second career of being a full-time writer and speaker. One of the doors the Lord has opened for me is to write devotionals for YouVersion. The devotionals that have sprung from my willing heart have reached nearly 5 million people world-wide - and I didn’t have to encounter one snake in the process!

I have taught the Word of God to women in the Ukraine as well as in India. Today, I monthly teach the Bible to remote villages in Pakistan on Zoom. What a creative God we serve!

Have you said, “Yes,” to the Lord? Have you said, “I’ll go where You want me to go”? You may not have to buy a plane ticket or fight with a witch doctor, but you must obey His Word. You are a modern-day disciple, and He is still calling His own to make disciples of all nations.

It has been said that there are three types of Christians: goers, senders, and the disobedient. Which one are you?

Prayer: “Jesus, I say, “Yes,” today to Your will, Your Word and Your ways. I am willing to go where You want me to go. I will, with Your strength, make disciples of all nations. I pray that You will open amazing doors for me to tell the story of Jesus. I want to please You in all my ways including with my time, my talents and my energy. If you open a door for me, Father, I will walk through it. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

Bible Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” – Matthew 28:19

Reflection Points:

1 – Has the Lord ever asked you to do something that you didn’t want to do? What was it? Did you obey?

2 – Is there a country the Lord has laid on your heart? Spend time in prayer for this country and its people today.

3 – What does it mean to “make disciples of all nations”?