20/20 Vision

20/20 Vision

Matthew 28:16-20

“That missionary was good today,” Elisa told her mother as they arrived home from church. “I think missionaries have such exciting lives—traveling far away and seeing strange places and different people. And they get to tell the gospel to people who’ve never heard it before. That would be neat! Maybe I’ll be a missionary someday. I hope God wants me to go to Japan.”

Just then the phone rang, and Mom answered. After a moment, she held her hand over the mouthpiece. “Elisa,” she said, “Mrs. Fisher would like you to go with her on youth visitation next Friday. She wants to visit some girls who have just moved into our neighborhood.”

“I want to go skating Friday,” said Elisa. “Anyhow, I don’t know what to say to those girls. Do I have to go?”

Mom spoke into the phone, “Elisa will call you later, Mrs. Fisher.” Hanging up the phone, she turned to her daughter. “Remember what the eye doctor said at your checkup last week?” she asked.

Elisa nodded. “He said I have 20/20 vision,” she replied, “and that means I have perfect eyesight. At twenty feet I can see what the normal person sees from that distance.”

“Right,” said Mom, “and I’m glad you have 20/20 vision in your eyes. But I’ve just been thinking about your missionary vision. It seems to me that you’re farsighted.”

Elisa beamed. “You mean because I’m interested in mission work in faraway places? That’s good, isn’t it?”

Her mother shook her head. “Not exactly,” she replied. “A person whose eyes are farsighted can’t see objects up close very well. You’re excited about going far away to tell people about Jesus, but you aren’t interested in some girls on the next block. If you can’t be a good witness here, do you suppose you’d make a good missionary far away?” MRP

How about You?

Are you interested in someday taking the gospel to a faraway place? That’s wonderful! If we are too farsighted we can’t see the people around us who need to hear about Jesus. Will you ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the souls you could reach here and now? Get 20/20 mission vision!

Memorize:

“Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest.” John 4:35

Witness Here and Now