I was on a mission and could not be stopped. Undergoing a house remodel, the work was paused while a broken plumbing part had to be replaced. The plumber could not continue. That meant the drywaller could not finish. Next the painter had to reschedule. The housing inspector’s appointment changed. I had to find that part. Life was certainly tougher in these pre-internet days. Driving from Valley Center to all the different plumbing supply stores in Escondido and surrounding areas to locate this part was quite an effort. Eventually though, mission accomplished!
Thankfully, the mission of God continues in a more joyful manner and on a much grander and eternal scale. Throughout history, God has called men and women to be His workers. Beginning in Genesis 12 with the call of Abraham, summoning Moses and revealing Him as the greatest I AM to deliver Israel, appointing David a king that would produce seed in Jesus that would rule forever.
Jesus was on mission too. The Father was sending Jesus to reconcile all people to Himself. Jesus was sent by the Father to do not His will, but the will of the Father. “Then Jesus explained: My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” (John 4:34) We are not bystanders. I remember Gary Haugen from IJM teaching one morning at EFCC. “God doesn’t have a Plan B. The church is His plan.”
This paragraph from an essay in the Perspectives on the Christian Movement by Henry Blackaby and Avery Willis is convicting and challenging to me. “Christians are Kingdom people and Christ Himself is the eternal King over His kingdom. He “has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father.” (Rev 1:6) You are called into a partnership with Christ the King. In this partnership, you will become involved in His mission to reconcile a lost world to God. To be related to Christ is to be on mission with Him. You cannot be in relationship with Jesus and not be on mission with Him. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you too.” (John 20:21).
Those are clear marching orders. May we all be faithful and obedient to the call that the Father has put on each one of our lives. Soli deo gloria.
Todd Hoyt,
Global Outreach Council