Lisa Notes: Go away or go deep?

Go away or go deep?

I am such a homebody.

So when I saw that Macky’s lesson Wednesday night was going to be on The Great Commission, I braced myself.

He put up a list of reasons why we’re unfaithful to go:

Forget
Too busy
Too worldly
Afraid
Selfish
Sinful
Not equipped
Lack of good leadership

Um, I can buy those. Any of those. (How about all of those?)

But then I remember:
my call to go also embraces not just a call to go out,
but a call to go deep.

A key issue for any group willing to embrace the risk and adventure of mission is to dare to believe that they have been sent to stay home.

That is, that home might be the very best place for them to serve and that the missionary call to “Go” might still apply, but it is a going deeper, not a going away.

It is being sent in to every arena, domain, and context of life, not simply geographical moves.

Sentness is an identity thing, not simply a geographic one.
~ MICHAEL FROST & ALAN HIRSCH, The Faith of Leap

Don’t I have people all around my home who need Jesus? Yes.

So wherever I go—whether in a large circle or a small one—I am to take Jesus with me.

And go deep...

into conversation
into relationship
into service
into Christ

The mission to go deep isn’t necessarily easy either.
But it’s one I can identify with.
As Christ goes—and stays—with me.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

* * *

Where is your mission field in this season of life?

Comments (26)

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Renee · 694 weeks ago

Very thought provoking, Lisa. I had not thought about being called to go deeper rather that called to go...Mission work has many definitions doesn't it.
Thanks for getting us thinking !
My recent post Are You Ready?

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

Yes, Renee. There are so many different ways to grow disciples--I guess as many ways as there are individuals.
My recent post Go away or go deep?

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Deanna · 694 weeks ago

Love this post! As a stay at home mom who would move to a foreign mission field without much provication, I often feel a little useless staying at home. But in the last year God has heard my cry and blessed me with opportunities to serve. I believe, no matter what ground your feet stand on, He will give you those opportunities...you just have to look for them. :)

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

You serve Him ALL the time, Deanna. You're raising a group of disciples right in your own home--a rich mission field!
My recent post Go away or go deep?

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floyd · 694 weeks ago

This is a point mostly overlooked by the Church. My mission field, at least for now, is exactly where God has me. We are not all called to go to another country. I too believe we have needs for our society that are pretty much going unnoticed as our country and culture are being swept away. Excellent point. We need to stand up and be counted for on His behalf.
My recent post A WEARY TRAVELER

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

You're right, Floyd, that our mission field is wherever God has us. Anyway, if we all went to other countries, what would happen to our own? We definitely need to be light and salt in our own communities.
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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Lynn Severance · 694 weeks ago

Lisa, I am so grateful for this post's message. So many Christians put "false guilt trips" on themselves with an agenda that "missionaries " ( in the traditional meaning of going to a far away place geographically ) are serving God at a higher level. No. They are serving where God called them to serve.
We serve where we "stand" - wherever that is. We can do that as we serve HIM - not an agenda or place other than where we are in the moment.
When I was teaching in the public school system, there were those who questioned why I was not teaching in a Christian school. What? Where do folks get these ideas. We go where He leads us. We stay where He puts us. Either place is with Him and yes, He is always calling us to go deeper no matter where it is He places us.

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

Thank you, Lynn. I was blessed to have a dad who taught us that staying at home raising our kids was doing God's work as much as going to a foreign country. It's helped me not to have so much guilt through the years. Didn't eliminate it though. So I like hearing reminders that God wants to use us wherever we are!

I love your phrasing: "We serve where we stand." And that it's HIM we are serving. My sister is an administrator at a public school; I feel so confident that she is serving God there in a much needed way. I know you served Him well when you taught too. You are a blessing to me (and many) now from your couch!
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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pamela · 694 weeks ago

Going deep. I like that. And in the season of life where mothering duties are all but over I find myself with time to do just that. He's called me to shelter. But only when I am learning of Him can I shelter with love. I'm so thankful I could read this post. Bless you for "going deep" and posting an article without fluff.
My recent post Happy Birthday!

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

I am almost in that season with you. This is my last year of "full-time" mothering, and even with a senior in high school it seems "part-time" already.

He's called you "to shelter." That has a lot of implications; I love it. May he bless you as you bless others in this way.
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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Jen · 694 weeks ago

What a great way to put it -- we all have a call to be witness to the Light of Jesus. Where does not matter, for it is the WHO that God cares about.

As for my mission field, there is one in the home as I raise my 2 little girls and there is one in this great big blog world where I my heart is for women to know Him deeply.
My recent post Isaiah, John, and Me

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

The WHO is what counts, not there the WHERE. What a succinct way to put it, Jen!

I am so glad that you work the mission field God has given you; I am among the many that receive the benefits by your faithfulness in the blogging world.
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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Rose @ Walnut Acre · 694 weeks ago

There are so many ways to reach out to others and each of us has a unique call. The challenge for me is to be sure I am listening for that call.
My recent post The Week in Words - Friendly Fire

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

That's a challenge to me, too, Rose. It takes effort to stay aware, to intentionally be listening for His voice.
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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Bobbi · 694 weeks ago

Whoa..."Sentness is an identity thing, not simply a geographic one." Awesome...totally loved this!!

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

It hit me strongly when I first read it too, Bobbi. Sometimes we think we're only "sent" if it involves airfare, but that is so not true.
My recent post Arrogance strikes again

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bekahcubed · 694 weeks ago

I love the same line as Bobbi does--"Sentness is an identity thing."

I think I was in high school when a fictional character in a book I was writing in my head told her young mentee to "Always have a bag packed." The fictional older woman was somewhat of an eccentric--and her young friend was inclined to blow off her instructions. But then the older woman reminded her of Abraham's call to go, of Jacob's flight, of Joseph and Mary's flight...of the flight of the Israelites from Egypt and the tradition of eating the Passover meal with a coat on and a staff in hand, ready to leave at any time.

I've followed her advice intermittently, having a bag packed in my car or under my bed, ready to leave on a moment's notice. But as I've returned every so often to this little story that has taken on a life of its own, I've come to realize that "having a bag packed" means a lot more than a suitcase filled with clothing.

It means not settling in too much, not getting comfortable where you're at, being ready to be obedient to whatever God calls you to--whether that be at home or abroad. I've had to periodically reevaluate--repack my physical bags, sure, but more so prepare my heart to follow God wherever He leads. Because I want to live as one who is sent.
My recent post WiW: Rooting Out Bitterness

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

Wow--excellent analogy, Bekah. "Always have a bag packed." We do tend to settle in otherwise, and become squatters right where we sit, daring anyone to make us move or change....

Did you ever finish the story???
My recent post A give-away “The Faith of Leap” (and a review)

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Connie@raiseyoureyes · 694 weeks ago

Yes, some of us are called to be right where we are, in our community. Remembering to leave the surface fluff and go deep where I am...that's the challenge.
My recent post Living in Advent: of shepherds and angels

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Lisa notes 103p · 694 weeks ago

Yes, there's always room to grow deeper wherever we are and with whoever we're with.
My recent post A give-away “The Faith of Leap” (and a review)

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janicejohnson 14p · 694 weeks ago

You've inspired me to go deeper in conversation with others, to be open to greater depth in relationships. Thank you for a wonderful post!

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Lisa notes 103p · 693 weeks ago

You're welcome, Jan. I hope to go deeper in conversations, too. It's always worth the effort.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing

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Glenda Childers · 694 weeks ago

My husband always teaches this passage from the original as "As you go, make disciples." or "Going . . . and make disciples." I really like the freedom in this. As I go about my life, what ever God has given me in my day, whereever I am . . . make disciples.

Fondly,
Glenda

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Lisa notes 103p · 693 weeks ago

Your husband sounds like my dad...he used to say that, too. And I love the significance of that...as we go. That puts it easily within our reach.
My recent post He comes, and I must sing