I am passionate about many things: coffee, words, writing, Jesus- but one thing has always been my passion... Wanderlust.
Wanderlust (N.)- A strong desire or urge to wander or travel and explore the world.
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If I said “missions”, it would have struck the mental image of a person feeding the homeless or singing with children in a dirt village. What I mean when I say “missions” can be summed up in the word "wanderlust".
“Wander” means to travel about with no destination and “lust” means to greatly desire something. The words “wander” and “lust” can have connotations of indifference; although, I believe the contrary is true. I felt called to overseas missions since I was five years old, and through the research I have completed, I have come to conclude, as Christians, we are called to have a burning passion to wander.
A few Bible verses which reiterate wanderlust are Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” and Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”.
While both verses clearly state the importance of travel to spread the gospel, “wander” is a great word to attribute to these verses for two reasons. First, Matthew 28:19 is a command. “Go” does not mean “take your time and maybe if the feeling to travel is present, then go”. No! It is a command; an action verb saying “get up and walk, run, skip, go”! Wandering requires movement, physical, whole-body movement.
Second, various places with no destination is the connotation “wander” usually assumes, but is true. The Bible reads that our true home is in heaven, not on earth, which is the definition of “wander”- roaming about without a home or place to permanently stay. Also, Acts 1:8 mentions many places and commands us to go throughout the world. Therefore, “wandering” would be the best fit to describe our mission as followers of Christ.
Many of the apostles were wanderers, for example, Paul. He traveled all throughout the Middle East and even to some parts of Asia. Jesus was also a wanderer. The Bible mentions He did not have a place to rest His head; however, He relied on people to give Him shelter.
The last piece of “wanderlust” is the word, “lust”. The word “lust” generally has a negative association, because it is usually connected to something sexually immoral, but it also means a burning desire or passion. We are supposed to lust after God. I also believe because we lust after God, we lust after following Him and keeping His commands; especially, His greatest command, “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor”. Mission work is loving God first, then your neighbor by bringing supplies, friendship and most importantly, gospel.
This is the true meaning of wanderlust- to leave comfort behind and wander, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
As Christians, Jesus commands us to have wanderlust. Again, Matthew 28:19 says, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." Many people believe mission work is something people are "called" to, but, shocker, it's not. No, you may not be called to drop your life and move to Africa to start a Non-Profit, but you are called to share Jesus 24/7. By this, I mean you need to radiate Jesus' love, not wear the same "I Heart Jesus" shirt every day.
Our job, as Christians, is to love with reckless abandonment and share Jesus with the world. If Holy Spirit tells you to buy someone's coffee in a coffee shop, then show God's love through buying someone's coffee. If Holy Spirit tells you to talk to someone random, go talk to that person. God wants to use you in His plan of spreading the Gospel, but He does not need you. His will is going to be done, with or without you, but that's the one of the beautiful things about God! He wants to use you in His plan and I encourage you to willingly be used by God.
Go! Make disciples of all nations! Radiate love! Embrace your purpose of glorifying God: wanderlust.
