Made for a Mission

This post was written by Larry Davis, a pastor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Salisbury, MD. 

This past week we focused on the principle that God made us for a "mission". While I firmly believe that we were made for a mission, I think that discovering that mission can be elusive. I know in my own journey I have felt, at times, like a ship sailing in a certain direction, but that the tide, the wind, and circumstances have really changed course. Our spiritual journey in leadership and ministry can be very similar.

In the Gospel of John we see John the Baptist navigating his specific journey well and later he was confused about his course when thrown into prison. His example can be a lesson and comfort to us all. 

Read John 3:22-36 and you will see John is certain of his specific mission and purpose. He is confident in his role within God’s kingdom and how that fit into his relationship with Christ (vs. 27-30). He also understand that “[Christ] must become greater; [while John…] must become less”. So, he understood that it was not about him, but about his role in the bigger picture of what Christ was doing. 

As many of our folks completed 301 this week and are looking to take the next step in ministry, I know that they are searching for what their purpose and specific missional fit is in the Kingdom. I would offer that there are two principles from John’s life that we can glean for our own journey.

The first is that there is a very specific fit that God has called me and you to. That fit is based on our background, hurts, gifts, personality, passion and where they specifically intersect where Christ is already at work. John knew who he was and what God called him to do. Knowing his specific missional purpose brought him great joy and focus. As he understood how his life intersected Christ’s mission it gave his life exceptional meaning. However, even John later struggled when he landed in prison (Matt11:2-3). In John’s doubt there is the second principle that really has helped me in my ministry.

Most of the time God will give us a general sense of our ministry’s direction, but does not reveal all the specifics of how He will accomplish it. Along the journey things will not go as planned and we will be required to use faith to navigate the surprises. In my own life and journey there are things that I am certain of: God has called me to teach, preach, and share my faith with the world. The context of how and where are constantly changing based on His will and my receptiveness.

Do you know what God has called you to do? 

What specific ministry direction has He called you to? 

Once you know, begin to learn and move in that direction. The specifics of how He will accomplish His purpose to make you into a greater leader and minister are meant to be discovered on the journey. You will have to remain faithful and certain of what God has called me to, but you will have to remain very flexible to the how.  

What God has called you to do, once you know who you really are in Christ, will change very little over the course of time. He created you with great care and with a specific purpose. However, the how will change many times throughout your journey. Sometimes it will be something you saw coming and sometimes not. Be patient and let Him be the potter and you just be content to be the clay. The artistic masterpiece that will come will bring both you and God great joy!