Our Pastor is in the middle of a series called, “What is your Mission?” He’s teaching us about what the Bible and Jesus said about the Great Commision.

Matthew 28:19-20 states, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In his last sermon, our Pastor asked the question, “who is my mission”.

“Everyone”, was the first answer that came to my mind. But “everyone” feels like a daunting impossible task. Sometimes I have a hard time speaking to my coworkers about regular stuff. Speaking to them about the Gospel seems almost impossible. 

Our Pastor had a great response to this internal question. He spoke about the importance of building relationships and gave us an example of how that looks in practical terms.

He said in his neighborhood there was a particular car that would drive down his street regularly. Every time the car drove past he would wave. Just a friendly wave is how he began this relationship. The car would drive by, he would wave. Eventually the person in the car became accustomed to him waving and began waving back and it became a friendly interaction everytime they drove past. 

I’m sure eventually, on a warm sunny day, the driver had the window down and seeing our Pastor wave, pulled up to say hello or introduce themselves. People are drawn to friendliness. Especially when you can tell it is genuine. 

This introduction led to conversations when the driver passed by from time to time. The driver eventually asked our Pastor what he did for a living and he shared about his ministry. And when a particularly hard time came for the driver they asked for prayers the next time they drove by our Pastor. 

A simple act of waving led to an encounter with the ability to share God’s love. Building a relationship, acting out in genuine friendship led our Pastor to his mission. 

I love this example. It takes something that is so daunting and imperative to a Christian’s walk and makes it manageable and easy. 

I can do that. I can build relationships. I can cultivate friendships. I can wait for God to give me the exact opportunity to spread His Word and it will come naturally because I’ve already invested time in the relationship. I won’t sound forced or rehearsed. And best of all, they will know I’m being genuine. And really that is one of the greatest accomplishments of building relationships. 

This idea of building relationships reminds me of Ruth and Naomi’s relationship in the Bible. Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law who came from a different country than her son. She grew up with different traditions, and worshiped different gods. But the relationship Ruth and Naomi cultivated made them closer than ever before. So much so that when Naomi’s son died and Ruth was no longer bound to her by marriage and could leave her mother-in-law behind, Ruth instead chose to go with her mother-in-law back to Israel.

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’” Ruth 1:16

The relationship that Naomi built with Ruth was unbreakable. Ruth could see the genuine heart of love and kindness in Naomi and decided that her God was the one she wanted to serve.

What an example to us all. What type of relationships are we building? Are we just going through the motions or are we putting our whole heart into the people we are surrounded by day to day?

Our Pastor reminded us that God intentionally and strategically placed us among all the people in our lives. It may be you they are looking at to get a sense of who God is.  Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” God will put people in our path that He wants us to reach. 

We are commanded to love our neighbor. It sounds intense, but really if you look at it through the example our Pastor gave, who wouldn’t enjoy getting a friendly wave as you drive down the street. Or be greeted with a friendly genuine smile from a co-worker every morning? Or actually look at the cashier as they’re checking out your groceries at the store instead of on your phone? 

The Great Commission can be answered in a number of ways. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will call you to talk directly to a stranger, but don’t fear, He will tell you what to say. More often than not, however, you can answer the call to the Great Commission by just investing your time in building relationships. 

I’ve never known anyone to say no to an invitation to lunch or not be a little curious in waving back to someone who waved to you first.

Make it your mission to build a relationship with everyone you come into contact with on a day to day basis. I bet you’ll be surprised in the ways God moves in these relationships. How awesome will it be when you get to heaven to see how the little seeds you planted in these relationships God grew into new disciples. I’m sure a “Well done good and faithful servant” will be waiting for you in His presence.