Devotional by Carly Williams
Hello, March! It’s a new month and it is a great time to embrace new vision and re-engage with mission! This month we will be starting a series called On Mission. With our church gearing up for one of the most powerful and impactful years of missional ministry, we thought it fitting to fan the flame with this series as we end the first quarter of the year! If you are ready to power-up and get reset on mission, this month’s series is for you! Let’s soak up this timely encouragement from sophomore Carly Williams.
Have you ever met someone who is always going somewhere? Every time that you see them you're having to catch them while they’re walking and it has to be quick because they’re on a mission to get to their next meeting, class, phone call or something important. When they’re on a mission to get something done, there isn’t anything or anyone that can stop them. Oftentimes, I wonder if we hold that same mindset in our spiritual walk with the Lord? Are we allowing things to stop us from accomplishing the mission or are we completely focused on getting the job done?
First, I want to acknowledge that life happens. We get busy with work, school, family, friends and so many other things. Sometimes we may lose our footing while trying to stay on track with what God is commissioning us to do. He is all-knowing so trust me when I say, He understands more than anyone on this Earth.
Consider this: “At what cost are you willing to follow God?” This is the starting point for posturing your heart to complete the mission. He’s waiting for you whenever you’re ready.
The Cost of Following God
“As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:57-62 NLT
This passage blesses me every time that I encounter it; no matter what season. It challenges me to really stop and think about how committed I am to what I have been called to and I’m always re-centered after reading it. Let’s look at three of the values listed in this scripture.
3 Core Values in Completing the Mission:
“Lord, I will follow you wherever you go”
In this case the Lord was up front in letting them know what they would be giving up by following Him. We are not broke and lacking because of who our Father is. So, nothing you give up for His sake is greater than what He can replace it with. The call on our lives requires our attention at all costs. We should live by faith, allowing nothing to stop us from completing the mission. He’s worth everything we’d be giving up. Surrender the areas (affections, people, things, dreams, ideas) that you’re devoting the majority of your time to. Allow Him to bring order to those areas. Keep a willing heart. Sacrificing isn’t easy, but it is well worth it.
“Lord, let me first go and bury my father”
Jesus deserves to be our top priority. This is when we see people turn away the fastest. This is when we are asked to do something and we say, “no I have to go to work first.” “I have to go hangout first.” “I have to watch my show first” All of these things are things that could take the back burner to God. Do not quit your job, but do not allow the love of money to hinder your walk with God. Do not drop your friends, but one hangout with God doesn’t hurt. Watch your shows, but don’t go 3 seasons in and find yourself only indulging in the show and not the word. Shift your priorities. Challenge yourself in the way you spend your time.
“No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God”
This has to be the most important one. Sometimes we hear God’s instruction and we say “Yes Lord, but tomorrow.” You could have the other points but if you don’t obey after all of that, it was all for nothing. We have to follow God wholeheartedly, without delay. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Always consider the things you may be prolonging by delaying your obedience. Our father has our best interest at heart, he’d never lead you astray or somewhere he can’t bring you out of. Ask God to reveal where you’re struggling to be obedient. When he reveals them, talk to someone, seek help in getting you to a place where you obey the first time always.
Questions to consider when prioritizing the Kingdom of God:
There’s many things that can be revealed by the answers to these questions. You may find areas where you are strong and areas where you may need more work. If so, fear not. This is a great start to guiding you back to the mission you originally were called to.
We have been called to prioritize the Kingdom of God. Before doing so we have to consider where we are in our own personal walk with God. I believe that if you’re reading this, he’s calling you to check inventory of your walk. To check the status of your “YES”. Is your “yes” conditional?
I want to encourage you. We have all found ourselves in the busyness of life and the cares of this world, but at some point we have to stop and focus back to what is important. God is the author of your story, he knew all the events that would take place. The challenges that you’d face are no surprise to him. He’s just waiting on you to invite him back into your life so that he can aid you. All the time, the things we worry about are out of our control. Surrender and watch how much less of a weight you feel.
He’s called you. Yes, YOU. He’s called you to do great things. You won’t always get it right but I pray that at no cost will you not sacrifice minor things of this world to receive the greatest reward from your father. Say “yes” without conditions, worries, or fears and you’ll reap the harvest.
