I was listening to the radio in the car today. An old Scott Wesley Brown song played that talks about "Lord, don’t send me to Africa. I’ll serve You faithfully right here in Suburbia."

We give our words so lightly, don’t we? How easily we make commitments with our time, our money, our lives. Do we stop to consider what Jesus would have us to do? When was the last time you prayed about where your money went? When was the last time you prayed before saying yes to another committee or meeting? When was the last time you prayed before telling your boss you would take on another responsibility?

Yet Ruth has set the example for our response to the Lord. "Wither thou goest I will go…" (Ruth 1:16) It doesn't just mean leaving home to go to Africa. It doesn't just mean taking that mission trip you've always known you should take.

Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is at hand." He also said, "Whomever you give a glass of water in my name…"

In 1 Samuel 15:22 God tells us, "To obey is better than sacrifice." In John 14:23 Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching." (NIV)

It's so easy to say, "Lord, I’ll go where You send me." Or "God, I’ll do whatever You want me to do." But Father doesn't take those words lightly the way we so often do.

He may not send you to Africa, but He may send you to tell someone how nice they look today. He may not send you to the store to buy milk for someone you don’t know, but He may send you to your neighbor, to pay the water bill they just can't quite cover this month. Or to put a little gas in their car—just enough to get them by until payday. He may not send you to deliver Meals on Wheels, but He may send you to your co-worker down the hall to talk to her about Jesus and His great love for her.

He may even send you to Africa. Just remember, He always sends us where He has already gone!

"Whither thou goest…"

Annette Harness
Revelation 19:11