Living for More: Finding Purpose Beyond Comfort

Living for More: Finding Purpose Beyond Comfort

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After I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I began longing for His return.  I became sensitized to the pervasive evil and demonic influences in our society.  I started noticing hidden agendas in children’s programs, social media, and especially in news media.  Suddenly, what was once hidden came into clear view, and I wanted no part in it.  Whether in public or in my own home, I felt like a stranger.  Observing people in a near zombie-like trance, blindly following algorithms and blatantly defying God without remorse or repentance was disheartening.  

Praying for humility became crucial because I started to judge these lost souls.  But as the Holy Spirit started making His home inside my heart, I became increasingly aware of my shortcomings.  I realized that this new perspective was a gift - one I didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve.  My judgement slowly melted into compassion as I began to see my former lost self in those around me.  I wanted them to be saved, to inherit the peace I now had, yet secretly I wanted to go ‘home’ as well.  I wanted Jesus to return and end the suffering caused by those oppressing the helpless.  I was ready for Him to confront satan himself.

But I recently came to realize, the flaw in that mindset: for Jesus to return now would mean billions of people would be eternally lost.  Including those who had never heard about Him, and the people who had but chose not to believe.  An unnerving realization, and one I am almost embarrassed to admit.  

So what led to this perspective shift?  Well, visiting a country on the complete opposite side of the world, for starters.  I saw homeless, sometimes unclothed toddlers wandering around on the sidewalk while their older siblings begged for food or money from passing motorists.  I witnessed families, uncertain of where their next meal will come from, share a bed that lacks any cushion or comfort.  Thousands of makeshift houses, built with materials they could find, offered little beyond a sense of boundary.

In what’s considered the middle class, banks and marketing companies have moved in to capitalize on the developing economy, but at what cost?  A land without the knowledge of the Good News, unprotected from the fast approaching western-culture freight train.  Rail cars loaded with every idol that our culture cherishes headed full steam ahead into their unsuspecting lives.  Money, fame, success, materialism just to name a few.  Unlike us, they don’t know better.  They live in fear of death because their religion offers no comfort in the afterlife.  They haven’t heard that the God of the universe has made a way for them to find peace and a meaningful life through the sacrifice of His Son.  

I now understand Jesus’ words:  “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”  When every missionary knows each other in a country of nearly 18 million people, it’s a problem.  This is something we cannot ignore.  I’ll admit I used to think, “Let the billionaires fix it.”  I thought missionaries were super-saints who had no family ties, or people willing to risk their lives in hostile lands to preach the Gospel.  The thought of giving up my comfortable life to live in a jungle or desert was out of the question.  

But here’s the truth:  staying uninvolved is equivalent to turning a blind eye while people are led to hell.  This doesn’t mean you have to pack up your family, sell everything, and move to Southeast Asia.  But it does mean every Christian needs to get involved.  Set down your phone, look up, and ask God, “how can I help?”  Start with prayer,  find out which missionaries your church supports, identify their needs, and see where the gifts you’ve been graciously given can make a difference.  Missionaries desperately need resources, and the incredible thing is that even small amounts go so much further in these countries.  

Your donations feed, clothe, and provide transportation for real children.  They provide safe houses where young women can stay while attending college and studying the Bible.  A place where they can become the future spiritual leader of their community instead of being pressured into prostitution.  Your support provides essentials like detergent to clean school uniforms, healthy meals, and school supplies.  It helps teachers who tutor the children because their parents aren’t educated.  I could go on and on, but I think I’ve made my point.  These people need our help, our prayers, our presence - someone filled with the Holy Spirit to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to their villages.  

This is our responsibility.  I was blind to it, but now I see.  Now, I pray that God gives us more time - to reach lost souls, to invite them to the eternal wedding feast.  I urge you to get involved.  Find a mission that aligns with your gifts, whether it’s through prayer, creative talents, remote training, tech and admin help, professional skills, advocacy, resource development, and or community building.  

Yes, people need our help here at home too.  If that’s where you feel called, then get involved in your community. But let’s not use it as an excuse to avoid global need and end up doing nothing. 

God promises,  “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”  Our purpose is to love God, love people and share the Good News from here to the ends of the earth.  That’s where you’ll find the purpose and fulfillment that your soul longs for.

May God bless each and every one of you.  

PS: If your looking for an amazing team where God is moving in incredible ways, please consider Roots of Grace Cambodia. I've included the link below for reference.