The biggest challenge of this life is to live out exactly who we say we are. It’s so much easier to take the easy way out and talk about big exciting things, declare justice, appear to be a humanitarian, but then never live what we’re saying. It’s probably the world’s greatest criticism of the church.

This week my mindset has been challenged. How far am I willing to go for love? I say that I am called to reach people who are unreached, love those who are unloved, and speak for those who have no voice. But am I really willing to do those things or am I just another wasted youth with high ideals? We make so many grand statements, but until we live them, we are literally useless.

I say that I am willing to follow Jesus as far as He will ask me to go, but what I have come to realize is that, to this point, I and many others really only mean as far as that which is comfortable. But what I am discovering is, Jesus isn’t in my comfort zone. He is holding the hands of those trapped in extreme poverty who have never heard of hope and have never met anyone who is willing to meet their needs. He is embracing the oppressed and longing to give food to the hungry.

We have been taught that Jesus is looking for those who are willing to say yes and go to these unreached people groups. However, I say, it’s more than that. Without action, our “yes” is nothing more than a one syllable word that faded away with the rest of the background noise in the world.

There are whole regions in the United States and across the globe known as “slums” that no one is thinking about, talking about, and certainly not going to. We can’t just offer our help in these semi-bad situations, get our gold star, and go home. Jesus is wanting to set up shop right in the middle of the poorest of the poor and the most unknowing, uneducated, undesired, unreached people.

Jesus is our home. Home is where the heart is, and if He truly has our hearts, then home is where He is. He is with the lost and the broken. Where are we? Where are our thoughts and energy going to? What are our goals for? Who are we benefiting? I can honestly answer most of those questions with, “myself.” I have been where I want to be, benefiting myself by doing what I want to do. That’s the reality of the situation.

However, Jesus is calling us out. He set the example by not considering Himself too good to become a mere human and live among such savage people. If anyone, He was too good. Still, He is humble and kind. In His compassion, He came and healed the sick and the lame and fed thousands upon thousands of hungry individuals.

We are to follow His example. How far are you actually willing to go to reach those who have never heard the hope of the Gospel? How far are you willing to go to see those set free who are currently being oppressed under a system that is created by mere humans — to love those who have been rejected by society, to train and equip those who have never had a trade, to help restore families back to health?

Are you willing to go to the slums and love the people who haven’t eaten or bathed in longer than they can remember? The need isn’t where the abundance is. The need is where there is lack.

This is the call. To live in the model of Jesus Christ — to lay down our pride and give our lives to reaching those who haven’t heard in the deepest and darkest parts of the earth.

Home is calling. Will you answer?

John 1:14—The Word took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.

(Credit to The Awakening ministry for the tagline: Home Is Calling)