Just Your Presence
Scripture: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:9-10 NIV).
In 2001, I began a short-term mission ministry to Russia. At the time, excessive striving muddied my Christian worldview. I perceived my purpose in going was to bring biblical truth to new believers by teaching Bible studies. Several trips later, I realized that Russians were more interested in the why than the what of my presence among them. So my “work” there transformed into what to some might seem rather ordinary—holding a new baby of HIV positive parents, encouraging a recovering addict, laughing with a new friend, crying with another in her loss—but that is the beauty and the message of Christian mission.
Paul tells the Colossians: “God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27).
In chapter 2:10, he further explains that in Him—in Jesus—we have been made complete. In other words, we already have everything we need to share who Christ is with others. We have it just in our presence.
People are so hungry to see Jesus and to have the hope that we have. It isn’t likely these hungry ones will ever knock on our doors or enter our churches. Jesus told his disciples (and we are among that group) to “go.” The hope of glory is within us—and people will see it—see Him—if we simply go.
Prayer: Here am I. Send me (Isaiah 6:8 NIV).
Women In Ministry 
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