Discover Your Go
Jesus frequently used the word Go. Here are some examples:
- And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matthew 8:4 )
- Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:13)
- And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. (Matthew 8:32)
- But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (Matthew 9:6)
- These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 10:5-6)
- “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. (Matthew 18:15)
- They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, [a]and whatever is right you will receive.’ (Matthew 20:7)
- “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. (Matthew 21:2)
- Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ (Matthew 22:9)
- And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” (Matthew 26:18)
- Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” (Matthew 26:36)
- Go ]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)
- And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
Go is an action verb irregular in form but very regular when demonstrated through behaviors. For some it might be a global mandate while for others it could very well be a call to serve right where you are. Whatever it might be or could be, discover your go. Seek it. Do it. Know it. When we do not go, purpose is often not fulfilled. Assignments are incomplete. Cars go. Seasons come and go. Troubles go. Ideas go. Rivers go. Disciples go!
Go is a simple but powerful and popular word. It appears over 1500 times in the Bible. Go is commonly used to refer to physical movement or action such as when you go to work, go to church, go to school, go on vacation, go away, go to the doctor, or go to lunch. There are other uses of the word Go but this article focuses mainly on the movement or action that the word conveys.
Go may be a simple word to understand but the process of actually going may not be so simple. Problems relative to going can be social, spiritual, mental, or physical. Where do I go? When do I go? Should I go? Is it time to go? Who is telling me to go? I just can not go now! Where am I supposed to go? Why should I go? I don’t want to go! Answers or excuses must definitely be worked out. There are choices to be made and challenges to be expected when one responds to the call to go. Challenges must not be allowed to distract you from reaching the destination or fulfilling purpose. Ruth told Naomi, “Don’t beg me to leave you or to stop following you. Where you go, I will go!” (Ruth 1:16). Following her heart and remaining steadfast not only led Ruth to her purpose but it also increased her influence.
In John 14, Jesus told us that He was going to prepare a place for us. His going away was to a specific place and for a specific purpose. In the early church, disciples chose to go for the purpose of delivering the Gospel message. Even today as we go, there should be purpose and direction behind our go. We must know our go and understand it as it pertains to kingdom purpose.
Sometimes, individuals know their purpose but refuse to heed it. There are those who know that they are supposed to go but require persuasion to be applied as in the case of Jonah who was told to go to Nineveh. He was gripped by great fear and resentment and, initially, did not respond to the call to go as directed. He tried to elude his purpose. The punishment that fell upon him for not going did not end in his destruction but brought a newness of life and a willingness in him to fulfill the mission assigned to him.
It is important to not only go but equally important to know when to let go.
Be encouraged to know your go – whatever it may be. It could be a hospital visit, a prayer ride around the neighborhood, food or care bag distribution, participation and community projects, a ride to someone in need, or grocery pick up. Physical movement is not necessarily required to carry out your go. You can offer spiritual support to others through prayer, text messages, or a phone call. The Holy Spirit will guide you to those you need to impact as you go. Not only will He reveal to you who or what you need to go to but He will also reveal how and when.