Have you ever been challenged with Jesus’ words to ‘GO’ in Matthew 28 and His command to ‘COME’ in Matthew 14, to look past your present position and consider the possibility of mission? 

 Having been in pastoral ministry, I often watched as people left to pursue new frontiers of mission around the world, and wondered if there was more that we might have done to secure them longer.  Had we missed an important ingredient in how we nurtured them, or was there something much bigger behind their departure - something that went beyond the every day care of a church?  Although fed and loved, churches are discovering that members are being drawn to look further than their immediate church surroundings and community, for opportunities to serve God.
According to the experts, this Millennial Generation and the previous Generation X, are very much into ‘building relationships,’ and right there is one of the important keys as to why so many feel the conviction to become missionaries.  In fact, a key message of the Bible is to do with relationships – God’s relationship with humankind, with His Son and with His people.  Jesus prays in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”  Building relationships, therefore, with the goal of helping others reconcile to a loving God, is what tugs at so many of our relational heart-strings.
In fact, dare I say that we are blatantly responsible for this generation to go beyond what we know and presently do, to take the message of the Cross to a world that God has given so much for!  Within the believer’s heart, there is an unmistakable longing to stretch the boundaries of their own Christian walk and like Peter the disciple in Matthew 14, climb out of the boat and do something that will be significant in their generation.
Each one of us have gifts and abilities that long to be released and activated, but which need a clear and decisive command from the Lord before they can operate properly.  When Peter and the other disciples awoke that morning, they had no idea that one of the greatest opportunities to prove the power and calling of God would be offered to them.  Unfortunately, most of them chose to stay in the boat, fearfully gripping the sides of the vessel, and only one chose the hardest option, to do the impossible.
Mission is about seeing impossible situations turn into potential opportunities for bringing people to Christ and building strong relationships that will endure the many tests of this present age.  What we do with this God given conviction is important.  The command of Jesus to the disciples to ‘Go’ is complimented by His command to Peter to ‘come’, but never has His voice uttered the command to ‘stay in the boat!’
Reverend Chunillal Pema.