Mark 5: Start Where You Are

After Jesus had cast the evil spirits out of a man in the region of Garasenes, the guy wanted to serve as one of Christ’s followers. He had been transformed. He was ready to go anywhere and do anything for the one who had changed him.

You would think Jesus would have taken him up on the offer. Instead, he told the man, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Instead of complaining, the man obeyed. He spread the news about Jesus in his own community, among his own friends and neighbors.

I talk to lots of people ready to become missionaries to the ends of the earth, those ready to move across the country for college or seminary, and others willing to move to the inner city from their small town to become urban missionaries. These are all admirable pursuits.

But Jesus might just say no.

Jesus might answer, “I’ve changed you so you can live out your faith where you currently live, work, and study. Start where you are.”

Okay, so Jesus did not exactly say it like this in the gospels, but it’s an accurate paraphrase.

You may not like your job, your major, or place in life at the moment. God may have some big plans for you in another part of the planet someday.

Until then, start where you are. That’s where he’s placed you for the moment.

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Dillon Burroughs has written, co-written, or edited over 60 books, including the upcoming devotional work Thirst No More (October 2011). He served as an associate editor for The Apologetics Study Bible for Students and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. Find out more at DillonBurroughs.org.