Here is today's question, Pastor John. My name is David. I'm a high school senior, and

I recently felt the call of God to uproot my life for the spread of the gospel among

the nations. I have access to several opportunities to go to college overseas through my Denominations

missions board. My pastor has affirmed my calling and my church is willing and able to

send me to study as a student missionary. It is my plan to go into missions full time

after I get my degree. My parents, on the other hand, say that this would be a waste

of my life and that I would be a fool to leave America, which is, they say, the greatest

nation in the world. I graduate from high school in June. What steps do I need to take

in the coming months to convince my parents that going is a good thing? Would it be dishonoring

to them if I went without their affirmation? I love America. I love my parents, but as

you pointed out in one of your articles, God is calling people to leave America for the

sake of the nations. I think that's me. What are your thoughts? Well, I have six thoughts

at least. One, even though there comes a time when the will of Christ perceived in your

own soul by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, should take precedence over the will

of your parents, if they conflict. Nevertheless, God's command for children to obey their

parents is very serious. It puts a much greater burden on the parents than it does on the

child. They will be accountable for what they command or forbid. A person who is just on

the brink of adulthood should be very slow. There's no magical age in the Bible for adulthood.

We say 18 or 21. That's why I'm saying, just on the brink of adulthood, should be very

slow to go against his parents' wishes in the name of Christ. That's my first thought.

Second thought. Your aim is not only to follow your mission, but win your parents. By win, I mean

show them by your attitude and your joy and your humility and your behavior that Jesus is more

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