The courage of Christians who abandon safety, proximity to loved ones, and modern comforts to serve the global church through missionary work is nothing short of extraordinary. While many chase dreams of high-paying careers, stable families, and suburban homes with white picket fences, missionaries stand on the frontlines, often facing severe persecution in obscure corners of the world — places whose names may barely register on a map. Their unwavering commitment to sharing the gospel with every tongue, tribe, and nation reflects a profound dedication to God’s call.

The sacrificial labor of those called to the global mission field should fill us with joy, knowing God is working through them in mighty ways. Additionally, it should stir us to action. Have you ever paused to consider: How do you define the mission field? Is it the unreached peoples of Central Asia or the villages of Africa? Perhaps your heart aches for the souls in Italy or beyond. Here’s my take: the mission field isn’t confined to distant lands — it’s everywhere, every place, and every person.

Traditional missionary work is vital, beautiful, and undeniably challenging. Yet, it would be a disservice to both missionaries abroad and believers at home to think the mission field is exclusive to those who cross borders. Do you realize that, if you have children, your home is the mission field? Do you understand, if you’re a teacher, your classroom is the mission field? Do you acknowledge, if you’re living and breathing, everywhere you go is the mission field, and everything you do is meant to contribute to it?

Some Christians say, “I don’t feel called to be a missionary.” That’s perfectly fine — global missions aren’t everyone’s calling. But for Christians who remain in their home country, the question is: What are you doing with your mission field right here? Whether it’s your neighborhood, workplace, or community, God has placed you where you are for a purpose. Every interaction, every choice, every day is a chance to obey our call to live on mission. My concern is that many Christians are too comfortable sitting idle, living a life that is more geared toward their own preferences rather than glorifying God.

There’s no point in beating around the bush: Your life isn’t about you. Your life, my life, and everyone’s lives belong to God. The more we sidestep that truth, the more we’re in for a bumpy ride. Before I return to the Christian, let’s zoom out and take a look at the secular mind and how a misunderstanding of this plays out.

Take politics — especially those on the Left. What do you hear so much? You hear people who consider themselves pro-abortion chanting, “My body my choice.” You hear those who support or identify with LGBT activism that “love is love” and how dare you come between the way they have chosen to define it for themselves. There are countless examples of how people on the Left — not that people on the Right are perfect — choose to distort the truth to try and fit it to their narrative. There are a lot of problems with this, obviously. But the most glaring is that these people, when they try to redefine truth, are really just trying to become God.

And tell me, what follows? Millions of babies are killed. Children are not raised with a mother and a father. Men are criticized for wanting to be providers and women are rebuked for wanting to be homemakers. When society tries to give themselves the power to redefine truth, they do so at the expense of a flourishing society in step with the way God calls us to live. When people claim the authority to reshape truth, society fractures, and what is good, true, and beautiful erodes. Chaos follows when personal preference trumps divine order.

To put it simply, much of what we are seeing in the current political landscape — the sanctity of life, the covenant of marriage, gender confusion — ties back to an increasing number of individuals who only really care about themselves. This isn’t shocking, though, because they’re not Christians. We’re talking about the secular person, and from their worldview, they don’t believe they have any obligation to know God and keep his commandments, which the book of Ecclesiastes says is the “whole duty of man.” But what about the Christian?

Scripture calls us to a higher standard. We are to deny ourselves (Luke 9:23), renew our minds (Romans 12:2), and be transformed to reflect God’s word. We’re called to be lights on a hill (Matthew 5:14), to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). The Bible repeatedly urges us to stand apart from the world, shining as beacons in the darkness, reflecting the holiness, righteousness, and goodness of our Savior.

While we won’t accomplish this perfectly on this earth, there is no higher calling for any of us than to live a life fully submitted to Christ and fully committed to glorifying His name. Looking different from the world isn’t just about polite interactions at the grocery store or curated social media posts, even if those kinds of encounters still matter. Rather, it’s about the posture of our hearts. As believers, we are called to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). The gospel reminds us we are wholly indebted to our Creator — not just for creating us, but for saving us.

Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from struggles, sin, or worry. Yet, it offers unparalleled gifts: salvation from eternal punishment, freedom from slavery to sin, and trust in a sovereign God. More than that, being a Christian means we are united with Christ, living in the abundant life He promises (John 10:10). Being a Christian and glorifying God is the highest calling, and in order to live this calling out we have to live in light of what John 3:30 declares: “He must increase, I must decrease.”

So, I ask again: What is your mission field? How are you serving Christ where you are? There’s nothing wrong with desiring a good job, a family, or a home, but these are not the purpose of life. Life is about serving Christ. Are you willing to serve Christ whether you are in riches or in poverty? Are you willing to serve Christ whether you’re single or married? Are you willing to serve Christ even if some of your prayers seem unanswered?

How do your circumstances affect the way you glorify the Lord? It’s easy to be grateful when life aligns with our plans. Its not so easy to remain joyful when we’ve convinced ourselves we’ve been deprived of something we think we need. But if you have Christ, dear reader, you already have everything.

I believe something missionaries and Christians who live in persecuted regions understand better than the average American Christian is just how much they have in Christ. They understand this probably better than we do because these are people who, outside of Christ, don’t really have much. In places where homes are destroyed, families are torn apart, and worship is a life-threatening risk, believers cling to Christ as their all. They don’t complain — not because their suffering is light, but because they know Christ is enough. They are willing to lose everything to gain Him (Philippians 3:8).

What about you? Are you ready to live on mission, wherever God has placed you? Are you willing to serve Christ, no matter the cost? Your mission field is right in front of you — step into it with purpose, making Christ the center of it all. Don’t let another day pass in complacency. Just as your life isn’t really about you, your faith isn’t either. You should be grateful, but don’t let that gratitude pour from your lips unless it is also reflected in your actions.

None of us who call on the name of the Lord should be comfortable going a single day without being in the word, praying to our Father, and sharing His truth with those around us. Use your classroom, use your home, use your social media, use your commute to work — use it all to glorify God. Use it all as a person who, forever and always, lives on mission.