Tom Lin serves as the president and CEO of InterVarsity. He shared this message at Beyond Us.
Tom’s parents moved to the USA so he wouldn’t have to grow up in poverty in Asia. As an adult, God called Tom and his wife to move to Mongolia where there were no Christians and where the Bible was finally translated into Mongolian in 2000. Now he found himself living in poverty in Asia.
Notice what God promised in Genesis 12:1-5.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
God did not say:
“I will bless you and you will have a happy life.”
“I will bless you so you can live out the American dream!”
Instead, He said: “I will bless you and you will be a blessing and all people on earth will be blessed through you!”
God wants to bless people who will put their feet to their faith.
GOD’S GLOBAL PURPOSES
- “Fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1)
- “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.” (Psalm 86:9)
- “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28)
- “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
There are more people alive today that do not know about Jesus than any time in history!
To bless the nations often requires leaving comfort.
Tom’s parents did not support their call to the mission field. His mom threatened to kill herself if they moved. Instead, they cut them off and refused communication for years.
Abraham moves and resides in at least 8 different places in Genesis 12-13. Their new neighbors were brutal pagans (the Canaanites).
God doesn’t give comfortable callings.
Consider the Global Church. For example, just a couple of years ago several college students were killed for their faith in Nigeria.
Where is your Mongolia?
That place or people group that might require leaving comfort.
An interesting thing happens when we trust God and go. We experience God’s faithfulness.
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Abraham’s marriage.
“So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him.” (13:1)
Physical needs. “Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” (13:2)
Legacy. “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth.” (13:16)
In Mongolia, Tom and his wife saw 500 students come to Christ! Now it is a Mongolian-led mission.
God always provided.
Tom’s Mom invited him and his wife and kids to her house where she apologized just 2 months before she died.
Next Steps:
- Go and get a taste short term.
- Read and give sacrificially. (See Operation World)
- Go local and reach the nations. (Start a bless the nations prayer group, host internationals for dinner in your home, etc.)
“Something is missionally malignant if we make sacrifices to travel the world to reach people, but are unwilling to cross the street.” – J.D. Payne
Following Jesus is not easy, but putting on his yolk is easier because it fits me better helping me live for Him.
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