mission – Far More Life

Great Adventure

The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before. (John 10:10, PHILLIPS)

Jesus came to earth to bring humans far more life than they had without Him. So we could experience all that He intended for us and become who He designed us to be.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51, NIV)
…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28, NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10, NIV)
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:4, NIV)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17, NIV)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28, NIV)

Jesus is the light that leads us to eternal life. He offers us salvation from the punishment we deserve for our sin. He paid the ransom that set us free. Jesus was not focused on His own comfort during His time on earth. He did not pursue wealth, power, or influence. He was not trudging through His weeks, living for the weekend when He could immerse Himself in what He wanted to do. His life was centered on His God-given mission: to restore our relationship with God.

But His life was not drudgery. It was overflowing with love, joy, peace, and more because those are the character traits of God. Jesus experienced far more life! Pursuing His God-given mission did not detract from Jesus’ life, it helped Him model far more life for us.

We find far more life as we pursue our God-given mission, too. And rather than pulling us away from the good things in life, focusing on our mission will enhance our lives. So what mission has He given His children?

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. (Romans 8:29, NIV)
…Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, NIV)
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12, NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31, NIV)
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (I Corinthians 15:58, NIV)
…Do good … be rich in good deeds … be generous and willing to share. (I Timothy 6:18, NIV)

Our mission is to draw attention to God. We sometimes call this bringing Him glory. But it just means giving Him the honor He deserves and making His magnificence and beauty known to others. He wants us to become like Him so that others can see His character in action. He wants us to tell others about Jesus and the way to a relationship with God. He wants us to teach them how to become like Him, too. He wants us to do good things to show His goodness. He wants us to model Him in every area of life, not just on certain days or at certain locations. In doing this, we experience far more life!

The best this world can offer pales in comparison to God’s glory. The most beautiful scenery is more beautiful when we acknowledge God as its Designer and Creator. The most rewarding experiences are more rewarding when they are investing in relationships that will last for eternity. Wealth is more satisfying when it is seen as a gift from God and used to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others. Love and laughter are deeper and richer in relationships that are unconditional, pure, and unified. Songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman described far more life as “The Great Adventure.”

God knows we are incapable of living for Him perfectly. But Jesus has already paid for those moments. We can recognize them, apologize, and get back on mission. In fact, sometimes failures give us a chance to draw attention to other aspects of His character. I see Jesus clearly in others when I sin against them and they show me grace. I model God when others sin against me and I quickly and compassionately forgive them. These, too, are far more life moments! Our sins and failures do not define us. Part of our adventure is turning from our sin to glorifying God to the best of our ability. May we, like Jesus, be able to pray this at the end of our lives:

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (John 17:4, NIV)

If you have been on mission, keep up the good work of far more life! If you have not, start today…the adventure of far more life is waiting!

Sisters,
How does it feel to know that Jesus’ mission was to bring your far more life?
Do you think Jesus’ life was drudgery or an adventure? What about your life?
How can you draw attention to God — bring Him glory — with the personality, blessings, and opportunities available to you today?
Embrace the great adventure of far more life with Jesus!
-Shari

On Mission

What role are Christians to play in society? This question has been asked for centuries. Groups have united and divided over this topic. Christians and non-Christians alike voice their opinions on this. There is no single answer about the specifics, but the Bible does answer this question by giving us a mission to complete. Jesus shared these instructions with His closest followers before He departed for Heaven:

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20a, NASB)

The same instructions apply to His followers today. Go. Make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them. Fulfilling Christ’s mission is where we find far more life.

First, Jesus told us to go. He wants us to be part of society. He wants us to develop relationships so others can see Him in us. We can offer His compassion and grace. We can speak His truth in love. We can feed and clothe and meet other practical needs.

Where should we go? To people. We should go to neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends. We can also go to those who are hurting or ignored by others. Some of us are called by God to go far away. But most are called to go to people in our own neighborhood or community.

You yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness. (Romans 2:19, NASB)

Jesus said we are the light of the world. We must go into society for others to see our light. My son experienced this at his middle school. His lab partner, PJ, was not well-liked. He was socially awkward and lacked interpersonal skills. The other students either ignored or teased PJ; he did not have friends. My son was kind and patient with PJ, even when he was difficult. One day PJ asked my son, “Why are you different?” He had only seen darkness in other students, but he saw light in my son. If my son had not been his lab partner, PJ would have continued to see only darkness. If we do not go into society, people will only see darkness.

Next Jesus told us to make disciples. When we go into society, our mission is to share Jesus. Knowing God’s love and forgiveness is everyone’s most important need. And God has equipped and instructed us to meet that need!

Often we start sharing through our actions, by showing love and kindness. This includes listening, giving of ourselves, and offering help. Those God is drawing will want to learn more about the differences they see in us. Just like PJ wanted to learn more about the difference in my son.

Imitate me, brothers and sisters, and look around to those already following the example we have set. (Philippians 3:17, VOICE)

Once others have seen the difference, we can share the good news of Jesus. We can tell them about His love and His offer of forgiveness and far more life. We do not need to do this alone; we can join with other Christians to make disciples. My son was involved in a Christian ministry that met after school and PJ started attending it, too. There he met more Christians, heard about Jesus, and eventually became His disciple! Disciples experience far more life.

Then Jesus said to baptize new disciples. This is an important step in following Jesus. Baptism does not change our standing with God, but it does have spiritual impact:

For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27, NASB)

The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 tells us some who hear the message will not want to become disciples. Others will appear to become disciples, but will not continue in Christ. But some will become genuine disciples who are committed to Jesus. Baptism is one way we communicate our decision to start a new life of growth and obedience to God. For disciples in countries with religious freedom, baptism may seem unimportant. But our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world face punishment or death for expressing their faith so boldly. Baptism is an important component of far more life.

Finally, Jesus said to teach new disciples to obey His commands. Notice he is talking to every Christian, not only pastors and ministry leaders! Each of us can teach what we have learned about Jesus.

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2, NASB)

We do not teach young children complicated math. We first teach them to count. Then they learn to add. They learn more and more until they can solve difficult problems. The same is true spiritually. Just as a child can teach a younger one to count, a new believer can tell people about God’s forgiveness. They can teach others each spiritual lesson they learn. God wants us to share what we learn with other disciples. We experience far more life as we learn and grow together in Christ!

What is the role of a Christian in society? Go. Make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them. Shine the light of far more life as you fulfill your God-given mission.

Sisters,
How does your mission in life impact your interaction with society?
Which instruction is easiest for you: go, make disciples, baptize them, or teach them? Which is most difficult?
How have you been positively influenced by Christians you know?
How have you been a light to others?
Thank God for giving you a mission — and far more life!
-Shari

Time to Invest

We all have 60 minutes each hour. 24 hours each day. 7 days each week. 52 weeks each year. We can invest our time wisely and reap huge dividends, both now and in heaven. Or we can spend it on pursuits that yield a temporary thrill at most. One choice lets us survive while the other helps us sustain far more life.

So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes. (Ephesians 5:15-16, TPT)

People who spend their lives for God’s purposes do more than accumulate possessions and experiences during their time on earth. They understand their God-given purpose and mission is to love Him and share His love with others. Investing in God’s work may not generate instant results, but it does produce eternal rewards. The far more life we find as we take full advantage of each day reminds us that our hope rests in Heaven, not immediate gratification on earth.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24, NASB)

Whatever you do. Life is not a collection of spiritual and non-spiritual activities. When the Holy Spirit lives inside us, everything we do is a spiritual activity. We can work for God, regardless of our job. We can recreate or rest for God. We can learn and grow for God. We can give and serve for God. We can also do each of these activities without God. The choice is ours; will we choose life or far more life?

It takes more than just showing up to maximize our eternal yield and walk in far more life each day. The heart behind our investment is a key factor in the yield. Mundane tasks — like laundry and changing diapers — can be more profitable than leading a Bible study; it depends whether we are simply doing the “right” thing with an empty heart or “taking full advantage” of opportunities to love God and others. We take full advantage by remembering His instructions:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV).

Acquiring earthly treasures — belongings, experiences, even relationships — can bring us temporary pleasure. But investing our heart and time in God’s purposes leads to far more life and treasure that will last for eternity! We do not always understand the impact of our investment, but God is orchestrating the efforts of many individuals to accomplish His will.

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. (I Corinthians 3:8, NLT)

Investing in God’s work of planting and watering spiritual seeds can take more than our time; it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. We know there will be an eventual payoff, but we can still grow weary from our labor. How do we maintain far more life in those conditions?

A wise friend once shared an “energy equation” that has been helpful to me. She explained that we all experience three types of interactions/activities: those that energize us (+3); those that are neutral, neither adding nor taking energy (0); and those that draw more energy than they give back (-3). If we are regularly in the hole, we are guaranteed to burn out and miss far more life. To be healthy, the sum of these interactions must consistently be zero or above. To experience far more life and have all we need to invest in God’s kingdom, we need a positive balance.

When my energy equation is below zero I often read or play mindless computer games to “rest”. But while my brain is distracted by those pursuits, I remain tired and reluctant to re-engage. Since they are not refreshing, those activities are probably a 0 rather than the +3 that I need. But if I invest the same amount of time exercising, meditating on God’s Word, writing, or napping, I find myself energized and ready to re-engage. Rather than “unplugging” by retreating into a virtual world, I am learning to ask myself, “What do I need right now to truly energize my body and spirit?”

As you look at your calendar and commitments, be intentional about your time investments. Prayerfully consider what you have to give each day and the refreshment you need to live far more life with a God-pleasing heart. Allowing time for connecting with God, eating healthy food, exercising, laughing, and sleeping is important for sustaining far more life. Remembering to include those in your daily energy equation will enable you to consistently join God in investing in His kingdom…people. Those are the only investments that will continue paying dividends for eternity!

Sisters,
Is most of your time spent or invested? Are you consistently experiencing far more life?
Are your treasures primarily on earth or in heaven?
What is your energy equation right now? What will truly energize your body and spirit?
Pursue far more life today as you invest in God’s kingdom!
-Shari