January 14, 2009

This summer, a few members of our youth group are going on a missions trip. We will be traveling to Mexico to share our faith and the love of Christ with the community there. We're going because we are called to, because it's what Jesus told us all to do. We're going because we want to see lives changed and hearts fall in love with Jesus.
Of the people in our youth group, only a small percentage are going on this trip. While I would love to take each and every one of you, this is not what God is calling all of us to. It also doesn't mean that you are not part of the mission. In fact, if you claim the name of Christ, that you are a Christ-like Christian, you are at the very center of the mission. Read 1 Samuel 30: 21-25.
David had some men who stayed behind to guard the supplies. They were just as important in his campaign as the people who fought with him, and therefore, received the same portion of the spoils. If you're not going on the missions trip, you're just as important to the mission as anyone who's getting on the plane in August, and you'll be blessed.
This year, our mission is not just going to Mexico and helping out for a week. Our mission is not accomplished by getting on a plane and flying to a remote place to share the gospel. Our mission as a youth group, as individuals and as the body of Christ is someplace completely unique. It's right here. It's at our schools, at home, on the basketball court, in the choral room. It's not just some week in August- it's now, every day, all year long. Every minute, every second we call ourselves Christians is our mission until Jesus comes back. Our ministry is not just to a bunch of people in Africa or Asia or Mexico, it's to our familites, our friends, that cashier at Wal-mart, our teachers.
In 2009, our focus is not going on a missions trip. It's not raising the finds or learning Spanish so that for one week we can make a difference. You are already making a difference. If you have ever told anyone you're a Christian, you are a living, walking, talking missionary to your specific field. Get this, NO ONE ELSE can reach your mission field in the way that you can. Each one of us has a unique life experience that no one else has. We have different circles of influence and different strengths and gifts. This year, our focus isn't about being a missionary for a week. This year our focus is to LIVE THE MISSION.
Read Matthew 28:17 and Mark 12:30 to find out what 'the mission' is.
The mission of our your group is simple, but it's going to take all the time and effort and gifts of everyone to make it happen. Our mission statement is TO PASSIONATELY PURSUE GOD AND REACH OTHERS FOR CHRIST WITH RECKLESS ABANDON. Simply put, love God and love others. But this mission can't be achieved by passively sitting on our bums hoping that somehow God is pleased by what we do and maybe some casual passerby will notice our lives and turn to God. We must LIVE the mission. That means we don't put it aside while we do what we want and pick it up when it's convenient or socially appropriate. It means that we live, breath, eat, sleep, walk, talk, shop, drink, play, sing, sit, stand, shout the mission.
I believe that there are not many things that are guaranteed in life. But here are two things that I can guarantee with absolute certainty. 1) This will not be easy. In fact, living the mission will be hands down the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. 2) It will be worth it.
This is a commitment we will make together, but that will be loved our individually. This year, and for the rest of our lives, we'll be gathering together pieces of how this works. It will be like trying to put a puzzle together without having the box to look at to see what it should look it. This year, we're trusting God to give us the pieces, but no one else can put the puzzle together for you. It's going to be up to each and every one of you to figure out how the puzzle fits together and where to put and use each piece.
This is your fair warning. If you don't want to be challenged to live the mission, if you don't want to grow spiritually, if all you want to do is the minimum and you're not about living a Christ-like life, then this is your chance to back out. I'll send you out with all the blessings of God and pray that He keeps tugging at your heart. But if this is a challenge that you're up for, if you're ready to throw yourself headlong into living the mission, to passionately pursue God and reach others for Christ with reckless abandon, then get ready. This is going to be one wild ride!

Challenge for the week: Keep an eye out for opportunities to "Live the Mission". Be prepared to share about it or better yet, write it down in a journal so you don't forget!

May God's word stir your heart.
Blessings,
PM