I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.”
 
This phrase was one my parents used often to help me pause and consider the situation I was in from a different perspective. It taught me to not only leave my selfishness and criticism at the door, but also to not take things for granted.
 
This summer, the Lord reminded me of that lesson.
 
I recently traveled to North Africa where I served, learned about and was immersed in a brand-new culture. For the two weeks I was there, I walked, talked, ate and acted like a local. For lack of better words, I got to be in their shoes and see the country they love through their eyes. What a privilege!
 
But if I’m being transparent with you, I hadn’t always thought of it that way.

Experiencing a new culture through service, experiencing a consistent God

I was incredibly apprehensive of being in a foreign country. While I knew the Lord was calling me to do this, an exhausting number of fears and hypotheticals flooded my brain. I hate to admit it, but I had reached a point of literal dread prior to leaving.
 
Amid this anxious limbo of emotions, the Lord stepped in.
 
He spoke gently to my heart and said, “Lexi, you’re about to go across the world and meet my kids, and I love them the same way I love you. But they don’t know that.”
 
And that broke me. But excited me. And gave me a feeling of peace.
 
It was like he was trying to be frank with me, sit me down, and bring me back to reality –
just like the conversations I had with my parents as a child to see a new perspective.
 
With the world we live in, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of singlemindedness. It’s so easy to assume that because we have the privilege of knowing who Jesus is, then everyone else does too. But that isn’t the case, and it’s selfish to remain in that mindset.
 
And it wasn’t until I walked a mile in North Africa I was faced with that sobering thought.
 
There are people all over the world who don’t know Jesus. But he is there – right beside them. Jesus is not restricted to just one country or even one continent. His love and grace are for all people, everywhere. Not just America, not just Africa: but every tribe, tongue and nation.
 
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:9
 
And the exciting thing is, he invites us to share that love and grace with others with him.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19

How can you serve right where you are?

There are many opportunities to have a mission-centric life – right in the midst of everyday things.

• Serve vulnerable children and families through Buckner ministries in your community. 
• Get involved with your church. Chat with your pastoral staff about what ministries might need the most support: nursery or children’s areas, youth group, cleaning, etc.
• Help your friends, coworkers and community experience the hospitality of Jesus. Be intentional in your relationships, pray for others and meet basic needs when possible: help with school drop-off, drop by a warm meal or coffee, or even offer to help with mowing the lawn or running errands while you’re out.
• Pray for your community. As you drive around town, or head out on walks, lift up your city and community in prayer.

Prepare to serve: Shifting your mindset

While finding ways to serve those around you are endless, sometimes it’s our own insecurities or fears that hold us back from jumping in. As you prepare to serve those around you, here are a few ways you can find that extra confidence or encouragement you might need.

1. Spend time in prayer. Ask the Lord to lead you in opportunities and to give you a servant’s heart.
2. See what Scripture says about serving. Here are a few to help get you started: Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter 4:10.
3. Dive into your passions. Often, the Lord makes us passionate about certain things for a reason. Be intentional about where you might want to serve. Passionate about helping single parents? Learn more about ministries near you who serve in that capacity.

While the Lord used an overseas trip to remind me of this lesson, I urge you not to wait. You don’t have to wait until you’re in the middle of the Sahara to follow his great commission.

Walk a mile now, no matter where your feet are.

Written by Lexi Pate, marketing intern for Buckner International and 2024 Texas Tech graduate.