Being on mission with God is for every Christian. Unfortunately, there’s an expectation by many that being available is all it takes to do missions, as if getting on a plane to the “uttermost parts of the world” will transform you into a ministry powerhouse by the time you clear customs.

What we’ve learned is that if  you want to be the kind of person that lives out the life of Jesus in Europe’s business community, arts community, or immigrant community you’d better be able to do it in communities where you live right now. Sure, it’ll be a little different environment, but you’ll still be you.

Do three things as you consider Europe. Take this simple quiz. Pray. And do something remarkable.

The quiz. Here’s a three-question quiz to help you evaluate if you’re “ministry material”.

1. First, are you crazy-in-love with Jesus, and I mean head over heels in love. Do you have the kind of love that sort of distracts your thoughts from other things because he’s the best thing that ever happend to you. That’s step one.
2. Step two. Do you love people that belong to Jesus in a deep and committed way that you find yourself going out of your way to serve them, and put the needs of the community above yourself?
3. And finally, do you love people that don’t belong to him so much that you’ll do whatever it takes to help them hear the gospel in a way that makes sense to them and see that the gospel lived out in front of them?

You can do the most amazing programs and campaigns on the planet, but without the lifeblood that springs from loving God, his family and those whom he loves, they’ll fail ultimately.

Interestingly enough, if you bring these three characteristics into a community, it doesn’t really matter much what else you do. People will still want what you have.

Next pray. Humbly express your gratitude for God’s mercy and willingness to include you in what he’s doing. Ask for clarity in how to join with him. Ask for compassion for those around you. Pray for others as you get to know them personally. Pray for those already doing what you hope to do as well. Develop a dependence on Jesus and a reputation as a friend of sinners.

Finally, get active. Do something remarkable. Not amazing. Just something worth noticing. Kindness when it’s not expected. Sacrifice when there’s no obligation. Service when there’s no way you could benefit from it. Got big ideas? Share them. Have respect for what others are doing? Join them and learn from them. (Click HERE to read an example of what doing something now can accomplish!)

Let us know what happens on the everynationonelocation missional network.

-thoughts from a discussion between Durand Robinson with GEM and Jay Pathak from Arvada Vineyard in Denver.