An excerpt from a journal entry I wrote on July 25, 2012:
Living on mission. What does that even mean? Is the Gospel advancing? What does that look like for my life? These are biblical terms I grew up hearing but I know for sure one thing--my life revolves around my selfish wants and not about bringing glory to God. Currently, my daily concerns revolve around thinking if my boss thinks I'm doing a good job, having the desire to be married one day, if my friends and others think I'm fun and relevant. I'm constantly worrying about myself and my agenda. The kingdom is not advancing as it should be in my life.
Fast forward to present day, September 9, 2012. Whew, God has taught me so much even in the last few months. What does living on mission mean? I, by no means am an example of always living like this but what I've come to find is that living on mission means you go to the emergency room all night to be with a coworker that is in need, it means going to the funeral for the granddaughter of a person you just recently met but who needs a comforting hand to hold, or simply it means strategically going to the coffee shop on a Tuesday night because you know Kevin and Lisa are working and you'll have an opportunity to build those relationships. If you knew me growing up, you would remember me as the kid that shyed away from others and was forced to engage in conversation when I rather would have just sat in the corner. As an adult, I still don't find it enjoyable engaging with strangers but I know that my life is about bringing the most glory to God so that means I smile and talk to my neighbors when I'd rather just head straight to the door. It means waking up each morning and strategically thinking about my day, the places l'll go, the streets I'll drive, the people I'll see and think how can I place myself where I can be on mission and glorify God most in those places. It means giving up the godforsaken worship of COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE! Yes, our culture doesn't make it easy on us. But then again, Jesus' actions were so counter cultural. It's not easy. It's not always fun. And it's rarely convenient. But man oh man Jesus promises to show up and when you get a dose of that, you realize that "the convenient life" is the farthest thing from what you want if it means you don't have Jesus.
So I have to challenge you and myself as we enter into a new week..how can you take your day-to-day going to work, eating a meal, getting coffee in the breakroom, working out, driving home, and strategically place yourself where you can be on mission? (Romans 12) Maybe you don't know what that answer looks like. Ask God. He'll tell you. Ask for opportunities to serve. He'll give you them. Ask for a greater awareness of how the Holy Spirit can work through You to bear fruit. He'll show up. So again, really ponder…how are you living on mission and what are the things that are keeping you from doing that?
Happy Sunday all. Go live on mission this week.
Living on mission. What does that even mean? Is the Gospel advancing? What does that look like for my life? These are biblical terms I grew up hearing but I know for sure one thing--my life revolves around my selfish wants and not about bringing glory to God. Currently, my daily concerns revolve around thinking if my boss thinks I'm doing a good job, having the desire to be married one day, if my friends and others think I'm fun and relevant. I'm constantly worrying about myself and my agenda. The kingdom is not advancing as it should be in my life.
Fast forward to present day, September 9, 2012. Whew, God has taught me so much even in the last few months. What does living on mission mean? I, by no means am an example of always living like this but what I've come to find is that living on mission means you go to the emergency room all night to be with a coworker that is in need, it means going to the funeral for the granddaughter of a person you just recently met but who needs a comforting hand to hold, or simply it means strategically going to the coffee shop on a Tuesday night because you know Kevin and Lisa are working and you'll have an opportunity to build those relationships. If you knew me growing up, you would remember me as the kid that shyed away from others and was forced to engage in conversation when I rather would have just sat in the corner. As an adult, I still don't find it enjoyable engaging with strangers but I know that my life is about bringing the most glory to God so that means I smile and talk to my neighbors when I'd rather just head straight to the door. It means waking up each morning and strategically thinking about my day, the places l'll go, the streets I'll drive, the people I'll see and think how can I place myself where I can be on mission and glorify God most in those places. It means giving up the godforsaken worship of COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE! Yes, our culture doesn't make it easy on us. But then again, Jesus' actions were so counter cultural. It's not easy. It's not always fun. And it's rarely convenient. But man oh man Jesus promises to show up and when you get a dose of that, you realize that "the convenient life" is the farthest thing from what you want if it means you don't have Jesus.
So I have to challenge you and myself as we enter into a new week..how can you take your day-to-day going to work, eating a meal, getting coffee in the breakroom, working out, driving home, and strategically place yourself where you can be on mission? (Romans 12) Maybe you don't know what that answer looks like. Ask God. He'll tell you. Ask for opportunities to serve. He'll give you them. Ask for a greater awareness of how the Holy Spirit can work through You to bear fruit. He'll show up. So again, really ponder…how are you living on mission and what are the things that are keeping you from doing that?
Happy Sunday all. Go live on mission this week.
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