Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
God’s command to make disciples of all nations doesn’t mean we all should quit our jobs to become preachers. So how does God accomplish His plans with our lives? By planting different skills in all of us!
You see, according to Genesis 1:28, God’s original mandate was for mankind to go into the world, multiply and subdue (or overcome) it. He hasn’t rescinded this mandate, and Jesus also gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 16, which is to share the gospel worldwide.
Rising up with our individual giftings and abilities in a spiritually contemporary way lays the groundwork for how we achieve the Great Commission!
When believers become influential in their calling—whether that’s in business, education, the arts, or you name it—this is how the body of Christ rises up to impact the world. The church equips the saints to be disciples, and when each of us grows the unique gifts within us, it opens unique doors to influence people for Christ in places that might remain otherwise unreached.
Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough time to make a difference. Be encouraged, because God can accomplish more in one year than anyone can do on their own in an entire lifetime!
Regardless of age or status, the same mandate and assignment is on each of our lives. God has given us not only the permission to be influential for the Kingdom, but the authority, power and gifting to do it, because we have what the world needs, and His name is Jesus.