Staying on Mission

Often times, I sneak a peek at the end of a book to determine if I want to read it or not. I realize that normal people don’t do that but I tend to be on the eccentric side of things and I’m ok with that.  I am currently studying the biblical book of Revelation and there are many things that I struggle to understand but I do find it fascinating and captivating. And as a bonus, the Holy Spirit speaking through the writer John says in Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” I am all for receiving blessings! But mostly, it makes me happy because it tells the future for those who follow Jesus; that He has already won the victory, defeated the evil one and conquered death for us all. So, that’s the good news.

That being said, there is also many an opportunity for my toes to get stepped on when I exhibit actions that line up with some of the churches that Jesus had stern words for, hoping to draw them back on course.  In his teaching, Seven Words for Seven Churches, Brandon D. Smith noted the following, “Jesus’ call for the churches in Revelation to repent and turn back to Him results in loving God and loving others. We love God with our entire lives, worshiping Him alone, and keeping our eyes fixed on His glory and goodness. We love others with our entire lives, pouring ourselves out like Jesus did on the cross, and sacrificing our own desires and intentions to see people reconciled to God. That is our identity. That is our mission.”

This is a worthy goal to attain. I know without doubt that I have failed at this many times when I’ve allowed self to get in the way. And as long as I put my desires above those of Christ I will fail again, but He lovingly guides me back with a course correction, reminding me of Whom I belong to and what is my mission. I so love that about my Jesus.