Ep 177 A Legacy of Lemons, Love and Evangelism with Sue Donaldson

The last words of Christ to his disciples were straightforward and clear: “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS . . .” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)

We call it the GREAT COMMISSION and put it in capital letters because we know Jesus’s last words deserve all caps. But whenever we hear a message on the topic or come across those verses in our reading, we cringe a little or wonder how they fit into our everyday.

You might be asking: How does God want his commandment played out in my life? I’m not a missionary in a foreign country. I have three kids under three. I need to work outside the home. I have aging parents. How do I do the Great Commission right now, right here?

I’ve had those same questions. I still struggle wondering what God wants from me on any given day. I don’t think he minds that things aren’t crystal clear. He likes it that I’m focused on how to obey him best. He wants me to live a life on mission and how I do that will most likely look different from how it looks in your life.

GO, BUT NOT BY YOURSELF

I love that the GREAT COMMISSION starts with God and ends with God. You and I don't go by ourselves. He's with us. He never leaves us. He gives us the time, the opportunity, the words. We just step into those gifts. Reminds me of my WOTY - I RECEIVE these opportunities and wisdom and timing and words. Bring it on!

Jesus begins by saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” (Matthew 28:18 NIV) Then he wraps it up with: “And surely I am with you always.” (vs 20)

Whatever we do in between those two truths is up to us to work out the best we can, given our gifts, time and talents.

LIVING LIFE ON MISSION MEANS LIVING AT THE READY

What do you need to do to be ready to love your neighbor?

• Clear your schedule
• Pray and watch God interrupt your life
• Bake a cake
• Share some lemons

You may have paused with number one: Clear your schedule. I intentionally limit my meet-up’s with believers. I love and need my Christian friends, and they need me. I met with Laurie Baldwin today. I'll meet with my mentor tomorrow. But in the end, I’ll see them in Glory. I try to keep part of my schedule cleared so that I’m available to those who don’t know Jesus yet.

My Dad’s Favorite Lemon Cake

1 lemon cake mix

1 small pkg. lemon jello (orange works, too - oh, and pineapple!)

4 eggs

3/4 c. water

3/4 c. oil

Topping:

1-2 cups powdered sugar

Juice from one lemon - 2-3 T.

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Mix cake ingredients per box directions including the jello

Pour into sprayed 9x13 cake pan

While baking, make topping:

Heat lemon juice on stove on low with 2 c. powdered sugar until sugar dissolves. Or, forget the heating part, and just whisk until the lumps disappear.

While cake is still hot, make holes 2 inches apart with a fork--lots and lots of holes.

Pour topping over, watch it soak in, and smack your lips.

Divine, surely. Heavenly tang and sweet.

After cake cools, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

PS Call a neighbor