Living On Mission – When It’s A Matter Of Life And Death

He was clearly a different man. “I now have peace. I’m not the angry man I used to be,” he announced with such certainty, “I have invited God into my heart, and He’s changing me.”

You see, about a month ago on a bitterly cold day, my husband (initially headed for the gym) decided to go wash and vacuum his car. While there, he strikes up a conversation with the man detailing his truck next to him. Did I mention my husband was in shorts? Yep, 30 degrees in shorts, yet he didn’t allow the lack of “appropriate clothing” keep him from His greater mission. And it’s a good thing he didn’t. God saw the pain of this man’s recent separation, the anger from childhood trauma, and like a Good Father, He wanted to mend His wounded child. He chose to use my husband, dressed in “last season’s clothing,” to start the process.

My husband has a habit of doing that, you know. Meeting a new face, yet carrying on a conversation as though he grew up with you. It never fails, in a nonconfrontational way, he weaves in the message of God’s love before landing the plane and inviting you to church.

And with the same breath I brag about his fearless approach, I also self-condemn. Let me be transparently honest; I am a 95% introvert who finds her voice on the letters of a keyboard. While I have a deep burning pain for the lost, I get lost in the searing pain of small talk. I can carry on deep conversations about Christ, but spark a conversation with a complete stranger, not my forte. And not so deep down, I know that doesn’t nullify the Greatest commission of all – to know God and make Him known.

Like the other 7.6 billion people in the world, I am a WIP – work in progress. Progress in which God has helped me realize my fear of conversation boils down to a fear of rejection. Having been rejected for much of my childhood and early adult life, I am highly sensitive to the threat of a cold shoulder. For years, I have allowed “last season” to disqualify me from my mission.

Raise your hand if you’re with me. You know God has asked you to reach across the table, talk to a friend about Christ, or invite your hairdresser for coffee but the fear of “something” stops you in your tracks. Sound familiar? That’s why it’s increasingly important to identify this first topic because it is indeed a matter of eternal life and death.

What are you allowing to “disqualify” you from the mission?

I think it’s important to say that your mission is whatever God has called you to for that day, whether that means folding clothes for littles, teaching a class of dramatic teenagers, or leading a large corporation. Every day we live unanchored to Christ, we drift further from our destination. And those who need the “life vest” of Jesus are left treading rough waters. Alone.

Saul renamed Paul, didn’t allow his season of trampling Christians to stop him from proclaiming his newfound faith only days after encountering the risen King (Acts 9:20). Philip didn’t allow the inconvenience of a desert road or insecurity keep him from approaching an “important official” to the queen, thereby leading him to Christ (Acts 8:26-39).

Unbeknownced to me, I allowed the fear of rejection make me a slave to man, handing over the master keys of my mission (2 Peter 2:19). Perhaps like me, you’re not even aware of that “thing.” A few common areas are fear, a divided heart, and insecurity.

Fear

The number one tactic the enemy uses, not only to steal your destiny but also render you powerless for the Kingdom. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. Fear feeds on a vulnerable heart that has not been perfected by His love because fear has to do with condemnation (1 John 4:18). But the One who calls you His own neither forsakes you or condemns you. His perfect love casts out all fear, not just some of it.

Divided Heart

I’ve often wondered how the Israelites experienced God’s great miracles and still turned to worthless idols. But, I’ve seen my own set of miracles and struggle with a divided heart. Notice I didn’t say “struggled.”  The desires of our image ladened world, not easily overcome. In Psalm 119:36-37, the Psalmist said, “Turn my heart towards your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things.” This side of heaven, we continue to daily wrestle with the struggle to live in the world, not of it. A choice not to gratify the things of the flesh.

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An undivided heart, O Lord,
Is what we need each day,
For we are prone to compromise
And wander from Your way. —D. De Haan

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Insecurity

True security doesn’t rest in the lack of outside uncertainty but on the strength of the One who resides on the inside. Insecurities arise when we listen to the screams of the enemy and the world more than the gentle whispers of our loving Father. Friends, we can only be as secure and robust as the amount we trust in Him. It is God who arms us with strength and makes our ways secure (Psalm 18:32).

By means is this list complete; even those listed have different “roots.” But I have dealt with the fear of rejection and not being good enough for much of my life, which has led to a divided heart and aided in my insecurity. What about you?

Press In

1. Have you allowed something to disqualify you from your mission?
2. Spend some time this week asking God to shed light on any shadow of fear following you around.
3. Contrast what a divided vs. an undivided heart looks like. Read Psalm 86:11, asking God to sift out any incorrect views.
4. Are trusting in something other than Him for security? Are you allowing outside forces to make you insecure? Ask Him to reveal any areas.