Our Mission
Have you ever thought of your life as a mission field?
I have personally been contemplating what my mission is supposed to be in this next season of my life, because I have felt a strong push to become more self-disciplined. I believe that discipline has something to do with what God has in store for my future, so I decided to research Scripture for God's insight.
Romans 12:1 NIV says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." And in Ephesians 4:1 NIV we are told "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." So, what IS the calling we have received and what is our God given mission? I encourage you to pray and seek God's answer as this will be different for each one of us.
There are several passages in the Bible that talk about us having spiritual gifts. I hope you will take time to read each of these chapters: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 tell us that each person receives these gifts from the Holy Spirit.
Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?
If not, I encourage you to take a Spiritual Gift Test. However, I caution you not to limit God's power by thinking that the gifts revealed in the test are the only gifts you will ever have. We need to remain open to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and know that He has the ability to give us various gifts at any time.
There are many examples of mission work in the Old and New Testament
Here are just a few:
God spared Moses life (Pharaoh's daughter found him in the Nile River and raised him), and God used Moses to free His people from the Egyptians even though Moses did not feel qualified to lead them. (Exodus 2-14)
Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus and he went from persecuting Christians to becoming one. His name was changed to Paul. (Acts 9)
Abraham was to become the father of many nations. He was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac and God spared his life. (Genesis 12-22)
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, God blessed him and put him in charge of Egypt during a famine which ultimately saved his family's life. (Genesis 37, 39-45)
Jesus had the most impactful mission of all, He came here to save us from our sins. (John 3:16-17)
I hope by reviewing the various stories above you can witness how their lives became mission fields. Despite some of their shortcomings God still used them in profound ways. This should encourage each of us to realize He can use us as well.
We are to become ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Remember our life's mission is a divine opportunity for us to do God's will, we are called to obey the authority of our Heavenly Father. God's Word tells us in John 16:33 that our mission field will not be without troubles (landmines), and in order for us to avoid stepping on them we must listen intently and seek God's guidance through prayer and by studying His Word. By doing so we will be able to navigate our way around them.
Written by: Jill Theriault
Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime
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