What's my mission?

Several years ago a group of us were on a mission trip to Moscow.  We took American teenagers into the public schools of  Russia to share their personal testimonies.  They had carefully crafted their story to tell how Christ had changed their life.  We were warmly received everywhere we went.  We stayed at the hostel that the Nuclear Energy Commission used to host visiting scientists from around the nation.  They were still learning much from Chernobyl.

At the end of our stay several of our leaders were invited to dinner at Dr Alexandrov's flat.  You could actually see the Kremlin when looking out their large picture window on the second floor. We sat down to a wonderful spread and enjoyed pleasantries with the family and friends around the table.  Towards the end of the meal Mrs. Alexandrov turned to  me and asked, "So, what is your mission?"  What an opportunity! 

I've never forgotten that dear woman's simple question, "What is your mission?"  I think it is one we should ask ourselves often.

Purpose.  Why am I here?  Is there a grander reason for my existence? Or is it just about trying to find happiness?  Did God put me here for a reason?  Is there something I should attempt to accomplish?   Will the world be a different (hopefully a better) place because I was here? All good questions to ask.

Our Macro Mission

In His last command before His ascension Jesus gave a simple command to His followers.  We call it "The Great Commission".  In it He summarizes our mission:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 28:18–20.

Our mission:  Take the gospel to everyone, everywhere and disciple those who respond so that they will do the same.

In addition to The Great Commission we have The Great Commandment:

One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 22:35–40.

Our mission is not simply WHAT WE DO, BUT ALSO HOW WE DO IT.  Of vital importance is our love for God and our fellow man.  The Great Commission should be carried out in the spirit of the Great Commandment.

Our Micro Mission

 In addition to marching orders for all there are individual callings to each.

We are handcrafted by God for a particular purpose.

         For You formed my inward parts;

         You wove me in my mother’s womb.

          I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

         Wonderful are Your works,

         And my soul knows it very well.

         My frame was not hidden from You,

         When I was made in secret,

         And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

         Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

         And in Your book were all written

         The days that were ordained for me,

         When as yet there was not one of them.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ps 139:13-16.

The Apostle Paul took great care with Timothy, his "son in the faith".  He often exhorted and encouraged Timothy to be true to his calling and to fulfill the ministry God had given him.

            But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:5)

The particular ministry Timothy had was largely shaped by the spiritual gifts he had received.  Paul instructed him to guard those gifts, and fan them into flame.  Timothy gave special attention to these gifts to use them in his ministry.  We should do the same.

       Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (2 Tim 1:14)

       For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (1 Tim 1:6)

Each of us, as Christians, have been given specific gifts.  These spiritual gifts enable us to serve Him a variety of ways.  Our particular mission should be shaped significantly by the design He builds into us and by the Spiritual gifts He bestows.  Scripture is very clear on this point.  The Spirit distributes these gifts according to His sovereign wisdom.

      But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (1 Co 12:11).

      Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: (Ro 12:6)

There is a Macro Mission that all Christians should embrace- the fulfillment of the Great Commission in Love.

There is also a Micro Mission for each believer- one shaped by their unique design and spiritual gifts.

What great love the Father has for us!  He sent His dear Son to die, and live again.  He also gives a wonderful life to invest for His glory.  We have a unique purpose and contribution to make to His Kingdom.  He never calls us to anything He doesn't empower us to fulfill.  Let's keep asking, "What is my mission?" and let's stay true to it.