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Author Paul Theroux once said that the reason he never traveled around England while he lived in London was that he did not know which route to take. Consequently, he decided to walk and train all the way around the seacoasts of England, Scotland and Wales and turned his adventure into a delightful book, The Kingdom by the Sea. To him, the outline map of Great Britain looked like a witch riding a pig.

Perhaps our vision of what it takes to do mission work is something like that. We’re never quite sure what our destination is and, like children in a toy bazaar, we are overwhelmed by the choices before us.

Even the best schools and churches can offer only a sampling of the amazing array of mission vocations and opportunities. Thanks to graphic communications media, and spellbinding storytellers, people hear and see a kaleidoscopic panorama of church and mission activities.

Church leaders from afar know the vast resources available in the US. They mine this “gold” like swarms of zealous forty-niners. They come for advanced degrees and leave with admiring supporters.

But that’s only one layer of confusion about the shape of world missions. Instant television footage and e-mails blast us with horrific pictures and pressing appeals. Every day screams, “You must do something!” But what?

Information overload compels would-be helpers to hack their way through a jungle of needs and opportunities. The multitude of mission agencies befuddles us. We lay out their brochures and videos like so many colorful ads for Alaska cruises. We want the best tour for the lowest cost. We want a sleek, sturdy ship with the finest crew that will dodge the icebergs on the way.

Some advisors say we should choose our destination according to the most pressing needs. We should go where people hurt the most and have the least chance to hear the good news about Jesus. But how does a prospective helper get those facts?

I don’t think even Google can give an answer.

Traditionally, the answer came from meeting missionaries, reading their letters, and asking God’s direction. Talk to a dozen missionaries and you are likely to hear a dozen stories about how they landed in Tokyo, Cairo, Rio or Bangkok. They can give us general pointers, which are helpful.

Jesus simply said the harvest is ripe but the workers are few. He told his disciples to go everywhere, beginning at Jerusalem. He told Paul to go to the Gentiles and Paul went west, while Thomas went east. Paul tried to go north, but was blocked by the Holy Spirit. The old fable about how to decide which end of a log to pick up has often been quoted. You pitch in on the end where the fewest people are lifting. But where exactly is that log?

Paul received a vision to go to Macedonia. He told the Philippians to let God’s peace rule in their hearts. We know God opens and closes doors. We know, according to another cliché, that ships tied up in harbors never get anywhere. You have to get moving and allow God to point the way.

Perhaps most tellingly, Paul said we live by faith, not by sight. If we wait for too many green lights, we may miss God’s call. Following God into his world missions program will be an adventure more compelling than hiking the coasts of England.

Too many opportunities and needs to choose from? Jesus told us to work while it’s still daylight. Darkness is coming. He did not promise his workers a roadmap to glory. Detours and tragedies followed Paul around the Roman world, but he never abandoned his mission. Once we decide that Jesus knows what’s best, and yield the destination and route to him, we can be sure that our steps will be ordered by the Lord. Don’t wait too long to get in motion.