The Great Commission

A few days ago, I felt like watching a movie, and while changing channels, I came across a very beautiful story that ministered to me. The main character was a sixth-grade student whose Social Studies teacher assigned the class to find a way in which they could somehow contribute to humanity.

The boy did not wait; that very day, he invited a homeless man into his home (his mother was at work), fed him, and got him settled so that he could spend the night in the garage. His mother, who was an alcoholic, came home from work, drank, and fell asleep.

The next morning, when his mother got up, she came across the man, became frightened, yelled at him, and threw him out of the house. The boy did not have a chance to explain; he only told her that it was part of a school assignment and left angrily. At school, the children explained their ideas about recycling and other activities that would help the environment. But this boy made a diagram depicting a pyramid of people: he was at the top, with three people beneath him and another three beneath each of them (9 people), then another three beneath each of those, and so on. He explained that if he managed to help three people restore their lives, and they, in turn, helped another three, and so forth, then the world would be transformed. The teacher told him it was a good idea, but only a utopia. Meanwhile, the mother was heading to the school, angry with the teacher, who did not know what the student had done.

The boy continues to persist in helping others and achieves his goal through perseverance and courage, at a very high cost. The movie is called ‘Pay It Forward,’ pay it to someone else; I will not give you any more details in case you want to watch it. But as I listened to this little boy’s wisdom and the seriousness with which he undertook this mission of helping humanity, I thought about us, all of us who have received the wonderful gift of salvation. We truly can transform the world because we move, speak, and help in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is like dynamite. Could it be that our understanding has not been enlightened and that we are so busy with everyday activities that we have forgotten the Lord’s command, thinking that going to church and performing a few religious exercises is enough? Prayer, gathering together, studying the Word, pursuing holiness, and all the spiritual disciplines are important; but the important command is, “Make disciples…” When was the last time you told someone about the Lord and His love and invited that person to church, a small group, a retreat, etc.?

Heavenly Father, help me organize my priorities in such a way that I make good use of my time to help transform this world. I do not want to keep complaining about the situation we are living through, but rather to consider: What am I doing to bring Your kingdom? Give me wisdom, discernment, and boldness to approach people who need an encounter with the Lord. Help me sow Your Word, knowing that even if the person does not accept You at that moment, the seed will remain planted. Thank You for Your love and Your blessings, in Jesus’ name. Amen.