Recently, while in Turkey, I was asked a very thought-provoking question by a church leader. “What is the most encouraging thing you see happening in the world today?”

Because I lead a worldwide mission ministry, I’m sure he expected some 30,000-foot view of exciting things happening in the nations. Like, the fact that more Muslims are coming to the Lord than at any time in history. Or that Latin American churches, in increasing numbers, are rising up and sending missionaries to the nations. As exciting and encouraging as those developments are, I realized something else encouraged me even more.

To watch a young adult, perhaps a young family, or a professional with a great career, or a recently retired couple or anyone for that matter, follow the invitation of God to step out of their comfort cage and into an unknown and unpredictable future in missions. Then to watch as they timidly invite friends and family to partner with them in this new venture and to see the excitement in their eyes as people volunteer to pray for them, encourage them, and even go so far as to invest financially in them. Then, the best part, is to watch them go do surprising, amazing things because they dared to trust and obey God.

Just as He has done throughout church history, God still uses ordinary people like you and me to represent Him and proclaim His name at home and to the nations. That is the most encouraging thing I see happening in the world today.

If you are an ordinary person you’re the kind of person God is looking for. Check out his list of disciples. Just plain folks crazy enough to attempt an “impossible” commission.

After watching literally hundreds of regular folks take that step and follow His invitation to leave the cage of comfort for the unknown realm of trust, I can tell you there is no other way to truly live.

If you’ve heard His whispered invitation don’t miss the greatest opportunity of your life to be part of the most encouraging thing happening in the world today.
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All of us die. But only a few truly live before they die.