Have you ever pondered the question why am I alive? Why am I here on planet earth? What's my mission? What's my life's purpose? Remember several years ago, well known preacher and writer, Rick Warren wrote a book, "Purpose Driven Life"! He discussed and reviewed for us that each one of us has a mission and a purpose of why we are on this planet.
In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus stood up and read from Isaiah 61:1-2 these words, "the spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then He added, "today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus also stated His mission, His purpose in Matthew 20:28, "the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus stated His mission and knew His mission. Do you know yours? Why are we here? What's my purpose?
I believe there are 3 basic targets for our mission. These are the foundations upon which our vision, goals and purpose all rest. I believe this foundation is three fold for each of us.
1) In Mark 12:30, Jesus states, "and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength". That is we are to give Him 100 per cent of ourselves to learning as much as God as we can and to put His 1st in our lives. Matthew 6:33 states, "seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you." Mission number 1: give God our best and give Him our all.
2) Then Jesus went on in Mark 12:31 stating that the second greatest commandment is just as important as the first. "Love your neighbor as yourself". Jesus' mission: to serve not be served. He gave us the example to follow and our direction in walking with Him is to serve, not be served. We must look around us. There are people everywhere we look are need our attention, love and service. People who are hurting, lonely, depressed, filled with worry, anxiety and don't know why THEY are here on this planet. There must be a sense of urgency because the time is short. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. Let's us open our eyes to the needs of our families, neighbors and communities to "serve and not be served". Let us a leave "our holy huddles" on Sundays and be the hands and feet of Jesus everyday. Lives are waiting to be touched by each one of us which will affect all of eternity. They may be at Starbucks, the gas station, the bank, the park, next door, and maybe just maybe, even in your family.
3) Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus commanded us that as we journey in this life to make disciples of all those we meet. We call that Jesus' "Great Commission". It was given to His apostles but resonates down through the centuries to us today. Christians are only one generation away from extinction. If we don't go and tell how will they hear and know. The time is short, the days are evil and we do not know the day or hour when we will check out from this planet. "People need the Lord". My friend Arron Chambers has written a book entitled, "Eats with Sinners". Jesus hung out with those who need love and life. He rub elbows with the downcast and outcast. Arron writes about the urgency of the hour. "Jesus, with a sense of urgency, has sent us out into the harvest fields to make sure that everyone has the chance to make it safely home. We must walk our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our communities, and our homes as many times as it takes to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to safely make it off this planet. The world is sinking. The alarm is sounding. The harvest is plentiful. Let's get to work now, because it's later than it ever was." - "Eats with Sinner" by Arron Chambers - pg. 136.
Our mission, which we must accept, involves the "Great Commandment" and the "Great Commission".
As we journey through this day and everyday, may we make it a priority to serve and tell.
So, how are you, how are we, doing on the mission????
I am praying for you and your family.
Leonard
www.leonardnavarre.com
