WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

The Bible says something quite interesting about Old Testament King David: “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…” (Acts 13:36, ESV) What is this verse trying to tell us?  First, that David was a real person with goals and desires. But he set aside what he wanted in order to pursue something bigger, something grander. And after he had completed his work, after he had served God’s Purpose in and for his life, in his own generation (not doing his work to simply leave a legacy, but to make an impact in his own generation while he yet lived), then he fell asleep (Died)…he was not tortured by his mistakes, failures or tasks left undone. Rather, he was able to die in peace, like falling asleep. It was a pleasant departure into the Presence of the God he loved and served, because he had lived his life well!

                Living our life “On Purpose”….fulfilling the Mission for which we have been born:

I believe this is one of the keys to having a fulfilling life. But how do we discover that Purpose, that Mission? We have been talking about that recently here @ KCC.  In our Men’s Group, we discussed the Challenges of “Staying on Mission.” It is so easy to get distracted from the reason Why God put us on the planet.  Jesus felt that challenge when He was walking the earth with us. We see His battle in Mark 1:35-39: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”  In order to stay on track with God’s Purpose, Jesus had to spend time alone every day in the Presence of His Heavenly Father.  Others had ideas and plans for Him: His Disciples, the People in the Towns, even the Devil himself wanted to distract Jesus. But He was determined to Accomplish the Purpose of God in His generation…and He did.

                As a Church @ Komstad, we are starting a journey of discovery. It begins with Prayer and Conversation among the Leaders, who will then share our insights with the Congregation as the voyage progresses. We are looking at things like: “What is our Mission?”  Why do we exist?  What are our Values? Who are we and what are our strengths? What is our Vision? What has God called us to do in this place and time? And What are our Strategies?

What are our Action Plans? Who are we called to reach? How will we do that? When and Where will it occur? 

                These questions will not be easily or quickly answered.  But as Socrates has said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”   Many of us (individuals, businessmen, farmers, government workers, teachers and administrators at schools, homemakers, college and high school students)….many just keep moving at a hurried pace, not wanting to miss the next opportunity we glimpse racing around the corner. But at what cost?  What do we gain if we make incredible time but end up at the wrong destination?  When will we stop to look deeply at the familiar trek we have taken, the well-worn path we have followed that ultimately leads to a dead end…..literally.

                The Lord created us in His Image to have Purpose and Mission.  He designed us to have an empty place inside us that only a relationship with Him can possibly fill!  The Lord wants us to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ as our Savior. He is calling us from our own sinful and selfish pursuits into a life poured out in love and worship of Him. That is the starting place for every person who is serious about discovering their Purpose. God wants us to step off the treadmill of activity. He wants us to stop looking ahead or around or behind: and to LOOK UP.

                What are you doing with your life that really matters?  Paul challenged Archippus from Colossae with these words, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17). How will you “fulfill the Purpose of God in your generation”, as King David did?  What will others say about you when you “fall asleep?”  What will you say about your life? Most importantly, what will God say?