Answering the Call: The Impact of Mission Work and Surrendering to God's Will

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” — Isaiah 6:8 

In a world filled with noise, busyness, and constant striving, the call of God often comes like a whisper. But when we choose to truly listen our lives can be transformed in ways we never imagined. Mission work is one of the most powerful avenues through which this transformation can take place. It’s not just about going to another country or building houses. It’s about responding to God's unique call on your life, and surrendering your plans, comfort, and control to follow Him.

 The Power of Mission Work

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19 

Mission work, whether local or global, is a tangible expression of God's love. It’s the act of stepping out of your world and into someone else’s reality not to “fix” them, but to serve, to learn, and to show them Jesus.

When we serve others, we begin to see people the way God sees them, with compassion, dignity, and deep value.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” — 1 Peter 4:10 

But mission work isn’t just about what you give, it's also about what God does in you. Many come back from mission trips saying, “I thought I was going to bless others, but I ended up being the one blessed.” That’s because when we step out in faith, God meets us there.

Following God’s Calling

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

God’s calling looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a long-term call to live overseas. For others, it’s serving in their own communities, starting a ministry, or simply showing up for a hurting neighbor.

The important thing is not what the call looks like, but that we’re willing to say yes.

“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

— Luke 10:2 

When we follow God's calling, we often find ourselves in places of discomfort, uncertainty, and even sacrifice. But we also find joy, purpose, and an unshakable peace that comes from walking in obedience.

What It Means to Surrender to God

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” — Matthew 16:24 

Surrendering to God doesn’t mean giving up, it means giving in to something greater. It’s saying, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself.” It’s laying down your timeline, your dreams, your fears, and saying, “Your will, not mine.”

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20 

True surrender is not a one-time event. It’s a daily decision to put God first, to listen for His voice, and to follow even when you don’t understand the outcome.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever felt the stirring in your heart the nudge to go, to serve, to step out don’t ignore it. That could be God calling you into something deeper. Whether it’s a mission trip, volunteering locally, or simply asking Him what’s next, your “yes” could change everything.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10 

When we follow God’s calling and surrender fully to Him, we don’t lose our lives, we find them.

“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” — Matthew 10:39