As you Know, February is Missions Month here at Cooper City Church of God, and this year we are celebrating 40 years of missions weeks "A Generation of Generosity". We love to see the missionaries that we support come to town, hear the stories of what God is doing in their part of the world, let them stay in our homes, treat them to a good meal, and give them a chance to lay down their burdens and forget their stresses for a few days. What a privilege to minister to those who spend their lives in foreign lands spreading the love of God around the world.
When we think about "MISSIONS" we think of sending people to different countries to share the Gospel, establish churches, and support local communities. But consider the definition of "Mission" - A specific task, assignment, or purpose that someone is sent to accomplish. It comes from the Latin "mittere" meaning "to send."
God has given each of us a mission, a purpose designed specifically for our lives. The critical question we must wrestle with is this: Are we pursuing the mission God has given us, or are we chasing our own agenda?
Over the weekend, I watched the movie "Cabrini" it is based on the life of Mother Francesca Cabrini, an Italian nun who felt called to start an orphanage and school in China. In 1889 the Pope sent her to New York City where she faced opposition as an immigrant and a woman. On top of that, due to an illness, doctors told her she only had three years to live. Yet 35 years later, she had opened 67 orphanages, schools, and hospitals from Chicago to China. She died at age 67, fulfilling her mission despite impossible odds. (I highly recommend this film.)
In 2 Timothy 4, Paul is in prison in Rome knowing his life is nearing the end. As he writes to Timothy he looks back and says, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Both Paul and Francesca could say at the end of their lives, without hesitation, that they completed the mission God gave them. Here's the challenging question: If you were nearing the end of your life today, would you be able to say the same? Do you even know what your mission is?
The good news is that it's never too late to discover and fulfill the mission God has for you. Here are practical ways to begin:
Seek God for God Seek God for who He is, not just for what He can do for you. When we seek God with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13), He promises we will find Him. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us (James 4:8). In this intimate relationship with Him, as we spend time in His Word and prayer, the Holy Spirit reveals His will for our lives and gives us direction for the unique purpose He has for us.
Look at how God has shaped you - Your mission is often connected to your passions, gifts, experiences, and even your pain. What breaks your heart? What energizes you? God doesn't waste anything in your life.
Seek wise counsel - Talk to mature believers who know you well. Sometimes others can see gifts and calling in us that we can't see in ourselves.
Start where you are - Don't wait for perfect clarity. Be faithful in the opportunities right in front of you. Your mission might be in your workplace, your neighborhood, or your small group.
Watch for open doors - Pay attention to opportunities that present themselves. When doors open and God gives you peace, that's often confirmation of His direction.
Fulfilling Your Mission
Once you have clarity (or even just a sense of direction), the work begins:
Stay focused - Paul said in Acts 20:24, "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me." Don't get distracted by every good opportunity. What is the main thing God has called you to? Keep that central.
Be faithful in difficult seasons - Paul faced shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. Mother Cabrini was given three years to live but worked for 35 more. Your mission won't always be easy, but faithfulness matters more than feelings.
Don't let obstacles define you - What obstacles are you facing? A health diagnosis? Financial limitations? Age? Don't let these convince you that God can't use you. He specializes in using the "unlikely" to accomplish His purposes.
Helping Your Small Group Members Discover and Fulfill Their Mission
As a small group leader, you have a unique opportunity to help others discover God's purpose for their lives:
Create space for the conversation - Dedicate time for people to share their sense of calling, questions, and struggles. Many Christians have never been asked, "What do you think God is calling you to do?"
Help them identify their gifts - Use assessments or simply have group members affirm what they see in each other. Sometimes people need permission to believe what God has placed inside them.
Encourage practical steps - Don't let the discussion stay theoretical. If someone feels called to serve the homeless, connect them with a local outreach. If someone wants to use their business skills for God's kingdom, help them explore opportunities.
Provide accountability and encouragement - Check in regularly about the steps they're taking. Celebrate progress. Pray specifically for each person's mission. When someone gets discouraged, remind them of what you've seen God doing in their life.
Connect the ordinary to the mission - Not everyone is called to overseas missions. Help your group see that their workplace, family, and neighborhood are mission fields. The stay-at-home parent has a mission. The accountant has a mission. The retired person has a mission.
Challenge the excuses - When someone says "I'm too old" or "I don't have the education" or "I have health issues," remind them of Mother Cabrini, who was told she had three years to live and went on to open 67 institutions. Our limitations are opportunities for God's power to be displayed.
Commission them - When someone steps into a new area of ministry or calling, pray over them as a group. Send them out with the blessing and support of the community.
As We Celebrate Missions Month
This month, as we celebrate those who serve God in foreign lands, let's remember that each of us has a mission right where we are. God isn't only calling people to cross oceans. He's calling you. He's calling the members of your group.
may we all finish our race well. May our small groups be places where people discover their God-given purpose and find the support, they need to fulfill it.
Let's run our races well, leaders. Let's help others run theirs. The finish line is waiting, and there's work to be done.