Arise And Shine: Your Mission Awaits You
Recently, I was energized and inspired by the text in Isaiah 60:1-3, which I believe is a mandate for us as Christians this year. There is plenty of work to be done, yet many of us fail to put our hands to the plough and play our part. By sitting back and folding our hands, we overlook the wider impact this has on the world around us. We also loose sight of the bigger picture God had in mind when He created us.
Consider this: If Moses did not answer the call to deliver the Israelites, what impact would it have had on those in bondage? If Esther failed to boldly approach the king, what would have been the fate of the Jews of her time? If David was fearful of standing up to Goliath, what would have happened to the children of Israel? If Jesus decided to remain in Heaven as opposed dying on the cross, how would we have been reconciled to God?
This tells me that God has a specific purpose in mind for all of us. There are no mistakes in Gods Kingdom! The truth is just as God used the people of old to accomplish His great plan in the bible times, He has created you and I, for such a time as this, to accomplish His plans for today. Now, my question to you is how are you progressing with your heavenly assignment? Are you using the gifts and talents Father has equipped you with, to progress His agenda or are you still stuck on pursuing yours? The fact is many of us are too busy trying to earn a buck and hence the notion of purposeful living does not even surface our minds on a daily basis.
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And so, I want to give you two crucial reminders to get you back on track.
1. You are here on a mission
Keep in mind that, just like Esther, you have been created for such a time as this. So in actual fact, you could be the modern Joseph, Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Paul, etc. God has called all of us to serve but I often wonder where these present day heroes are. Sadly many of us are missing in action. We arrive on planet earth and fail to ask our Boss (i.e. God) the purpose of our mission. Instead, some of us have become entangled in the rat race of life and are being lured by the lust of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) which is not of God. Meanwhile, our societies are crying out for us. We are needed in homes, offices, churches, businesses, schools, communities, and government. Simply put, in every crevice of society. Yet, some of us are content with folding our hands and doing nothing.
2. You have what it takes
Every single one of us has one of more natural talents, qualities and skills deposited in us – similar to software preinstalled on a newly purchased computer. So you have been downloaded with what you need to get on with your assignment. Therefore, I encourage you to use the treasure that has been placed in your hands and don't despise it. Whilst your treasure may be a simple shepherd's staff, considered the great feats God did with it through Moses. Moreover, stop coming up with reasons as to why God can't or shouldn't use you (e.g. your age, status, background, qualifications or lack of it). Ponder on what God did with many young or unqualified people in the bible such as Joseph, Joshua, Ruth, Rahab, Jeremiah, Timothy, Paul, etc.
Now if you are still unsure about pursuing your purpose, think about our world today: What if farmers stopped growing food? What if singers and musicians refused to perform? What if teachers refused to teach, writers stopped writing, leaders did not take their rightful positions and preachers stopped preaching the Word of God? What impact would it have? Now, let's bring it closer to home - what is the world missing today because you are not living purposefully? Could it be someone's wellbeing, safety, growth, salvation, healing, confidence, encouragement, success, or even life could rests on you doing what Father has sent you to do?
Therefore, now is the time to arise and pursue your God-given assignment. Remember that when you fail to do this, someone somewhere does not get to see the God in you. You deprive them of reaping the benefits of your existence.
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Remember, don't get comfortable here. Planet earth is simply our mission field. We still have eternity to go. So arise, shine and let the light of Christ permeate in and through you as you get on with our Fathers business (not yours). Let's run this year with purpose in every step.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Isaiah 60: 1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:26, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13, and 3:12-14
